Vladimir Putin’s representative, Dmitry Peskov, has publicly responded to Donald Trump’s recent remarks that he had once threatened to “hit” Moscow during his time as U.S. president. The former U.S. leader, known for his bold claims, said he warned Putin that if Russia moved forward with invading Ukraine, the consequences would be severe.
Trump recounted the conversation in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, claiming he told Putin: “Vladimir, if you go after Ukraine, I am going to hit you so hard, you’re not even going to believe it… right in the middle of fricking Moscow.” He added, “We’re friends. I don’t want to do it, but I have no choice.” Trump also described the conversation as a warning about targeting Putin directly, referencing the domes in Moscow.
However, this assertion didn’t sit well with Moscow. Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson, responded through Russia’s state news agency TASS, emphasizing the need for discretion in diplomatic conversations. He said, “We prefer maintaining a very responsible stance in terms of not making public the conversations that are held at the highest level,” adding that Trump’s remarks didn’t align with this approach.
Peskov also suggested that such heated rhetoric from U.S. politicians is common in the lead-up to presidential elections, noting that candidates often resort to such statements to gain public favor.
This incident comes as Trump continues to make headlines for his controversial positions on Russia and Ukraine. Unlike many Western leaders, Trump has consistently refrained from explicitly supporting Ukraine’s victory in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Instead, his focus has been on ending the war, which some fear could involve pressuring Ukraine to cede territory currently occupied by Russia.
Trump’s praise for Putin has also raised eyebrows. He referred to Putin’s initial invasion of Ukraine as “genius” and “savvy” in 2022 and recently claimed that “Russia has never had a president that they respect so much” as Putin. Even when Putin humorously backed Trump’s rival, Kamala Harris, for vice president, Trump remained defensive of Russia, calling out Democrats for their accusations against the country.
As both Trump and Putin maintain their influence on the global stage, their relationship continues to spark debates, with significant implications for U.S.-Russia relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
