Table of Contents
Former President Donald Trump reportedly made secret calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin, both during and after his presidency, according to veteran journalist Bob Woodward's forthcoming book, War. One of the contentious incidents that the book focuses on is the purported 2020 Trump-Putin Covid-19 testing machine exchange, which may have provoked a major backlash if it had been made public. The disclosure has rekindled discussions about Trump's friendship with Putin and raised questions about possible Logan Act infractions.
Logan Act Violation?
Unauthorized American citizens are not allowed to negotiate with other governments, especially those that have antagonistic ties to the US, according to the Logan Act. Although Trump was protected from these charges during his administration, his post-presidential correspondence with Putin may come under investigation. Enacted in 1799, the Logan Act imposes penalties and probable prison terms on offenders. However, just two persons have been accused in more over 200 years, and neither has been found guilty. Opponents contend that Trump’s continued communication with Putin casts doubt on his devotion to this act, especially in light of the content of their conversations.
Covid-19 Test Machines and U.S.-Russia Relations
In Woodward’s book, a specific incident is described wherein, at the beginning of the outbreak, Trump is said to have shipped a shipment of Abbott Point of Care Covid-19 test devices straight to Putin. These devices were in high demand at the time in the United States, so word of their transfer would have probably caused a stir. According to Woodward, Putin advised Trump to keep the transfer private to avoid backlash, with Trump allegedly dismissing concerns, saying, “I don’t care.”
Ongoing Private Calls with Putin
Since Trump’s resignation from the White House, Woodward says, the former president has maintained secret discussions with Putin on many occasions. During one such call, Woodward claimed Trump even requested that an aide leave his Mar-a-Lago office so that he could have solitude. With ongoing allegations of Russian meddling in US elections, apprehensions over the nature of these contacts have grown. The former FBI director Robert Mueller has issued many alerts about Russian attempts to sway American politics. Thus, there are growing concerns about Russian influence on Trump’s present presidential campaign due to his ongoing meetings with Putin.
Biden’s Foreign Policy Stance on Russia
President Joe Biden’s foreign policy strategy is also discussed in Woodward’s book War, notably as it relates to Russia’s activities in Ukraine. According to Woodward, Biden denounced Russian aggressiveness and chastised past administrations for their indulgence towards Putin. According to reports, the president called Putin “evil” and criticized former President Obama for how he handled Crimea in 2014, claiming that the United States’ silence at the time gave Putin more confidence to carry out his present acts.
Nuclear Tensions and Conversations with Russian Officials
The book by Woodward sheds light on difficult exchanges between American and Russian officials, particularly when it comes to possible nuclear threats. Woodward claims that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Sergei Shoigu, his Russian counterpart, had a crucial discussion on the potential consequences of nuclear war. Austin allegedly gave a harsh warning, cautioning against nuclear escalation, with Shoigu reacting by refuting apparent threats.
Biden and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy
According to Woodward, U.S. authorities had difficulty persuading Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, of the impending threat before to Russia’s invasion of his country. Vice President Kamala Harris allegedly pushed Zelenskyy to draft a succession plan in the event that Russia invades during the Munich Security Conference in February 2022. With the impending conflict, Harris left Germany without knowing if she would see Zelenskyy again. Soon after, Russia invaded, escalating the long-standing tensions between the two countries.
Trump’s Alleged Influence by Putin
The former president’s continuous link to Putin remains a prominent subject in War. Woodward claims that Trump’s activities both during and after his administration point to a sustained alignment with Russian goals as the 2024 presidential race draws near. A Trump win, according to critics, may have a negative impact on ties between the United States and Ukraine because of Trump’s purportedly tight relationship with the head of the Kremlin. These events are clarified in Woodward’s most recent book, which also sparks discussion about Trump’s allegiances and the possible dangers of his ongoing relationship with Putin.