The Kremlin has confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump sent COVID-19 testing devices to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the peak of the pandemic. This revelation comes from a new book by renowned journalist Bob Woodward, known for his investigative work during the Watergate scandal.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed the claims on Wednesday, stating that the tests had indeed been sent to Russia. However, he denied Woodward's assertion that Trump and Putin had spoken by phone multiple times since Trump left office. "We also sent equipment at the beginning of the pandemic," Peskov mentioned in a written statement. "But about the phone calls—it’s not true."
The book reveals that Trump discreetly dispatched Abbott COVID-19 testing machines to Putin in 2020 when testing devices were in short supply worldwide. This move is indicative of the unusual rapport between the two leaders during Trump's presidency, particularly at a time when many nations were struggling with the pandemic.
In response to the book's allegations, the Trump campaign issued a statement dismissing Woodward's claims as unfounded. They asserted, "None of these made-up stories by Bob Woodward are true," accusing the journalist of bias against the former president.
The exchange highlights a complicated chapter in U.S.-Russia relations, particularly during a global health crisis. As more information emerges from Woodward's book, it raises questions about the interactions between the two leaders and the dynamics of their relationship during a critical period in history.
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