According to CNN, the recording was made during a gathering of Trump’s donors in 2024, a time when he was deep into his campaign for the presidency. During his speech, Trump allegedly recounted his conversation with Putin, in which he warned the Russian president that any invasion of Ukraine would provoke severe retaliation.
“If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb Moscow,” Trump purportedly told Putin, adding that he had no other choice but to respond in such a manner. In the recording, Trump reportedly seemed to relish recalling the exchange, highlighting the boldness of the threat.
Although Trump said that Putin was skeptical of his warning, claiming that Putin had responded with “I don’t believe you,” the former president insisted that his words had some effect, stating that Putin “believed at least 10%” of the threat. This exchange, if genuine, reflects Trump’s tendency to emphasize his own toughness in negotiations, a hallmark of his political persona.
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Kremlin’s Response and Uncertainty About Authenticity
The Kremlin has not directly addressed the contents of the recording. Dmitri Peskov, a spokesman for President Putin, refrained from making any definitive statements, commenting only that he could neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the audio.
Peskov further mentioned that there was a proliferation of “fake news” circulating, implying that the recording could potentially be fabricated. Despite this, Peskov’s comments reflect the delicate position Russia finds itself in regarding interactions with Trump, especially given his direct approach and unpredictable rhetoric in the past.
While the authenticity of the audio remains unconfirmed, the voice in the recording is widely believed to be that of Trump. CNN, which first reported the audio, did not provide conclusive evidence to verify the recording’s timeline, further fueling speculation about its accuracy. The recording’s emergence adds to the ongoing debate about Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly regarding Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
Trump’s Stance on Ukraine and Relations with Putin
Trump has consistently emphasized during his 2024 presidential campaign that, had he been in office, he would have prevented the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He repeatedly stated that his policies would have deterred Russia from launching the invasion and that he would have quickly brokered peace. Despite this rhetoric, Trump’s recent comments in the audio seem to suggest a far more combative stance, particularly in regard to Putin’s actions.
Furthermore, Trump has expressed frustration with Putin’s stance on peace talks. During a recent meeting, Trump remarked that Putin was engaging in “a lot of nonsense” regarding the war in Ukraine. This language marks a shift from Trump’s previous efforts to maintain a more conciliatory tone towards Putin, reflecting a growing impatience with the Russian leader’s handling of the war.
While Trump had once championed a friendly relationship with Putin, his evolving comments suggest a tougher line, though it remains to be seen how this could impact future U.S.-Russia relations.
