The Biden administration has expressed "serious concerns" over reports that former President Donald Trump engaged in secret phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin after leaving office.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre raised these concerns during an Oct. 9 briefing, following reports from The New York Times citing journalist Bob Woodward’s new book War.
Allegations of Secret Conversations
According to Woodward's book, Trump allegedly spoke with Putin up to seven times after leaving the White House in 2020.
These conversations reportedly occurred while Trump was pressuring Republican lawmakers to block a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine.
White House press secretary Jean-Pierre was unable to confirm the calls.
"Do we have serious concerns? Yes, if it is true," Jean-Pierre said, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
“It's concerning, especially when we know the former president was lobbying against more aid for Ukraine — to Ukraine to defend themselves against Russia's aggression," she added.
Worrying Allies
Trump’s stance on Ukraine continues to divide the Republican party and worry Ukraine’s allies.
The former president has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not reaching a deal with Russia and has refrained from expressing clear support for a Ukrainian victory. As Trump campaigns for re-election, these views have deepened concerns among pro-Ukraine factions within the U.S. government.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who will face Trump in the upcoming election, has criticized him for his admiration of autocratic leaders like Putin. These revelations come as tensions mount over U.S. support for Ukraine, with Trump’s critics warning that his actions could harm U.S. national security.
Woodward’s Claims
In his book, Woodward also alleges that Trump secretly sent COVID-19 testing devices to Putin in 2020, after a request from the Russian leader. Putin reportedly urged Trump not to disclose the transaction, saying, "I don't want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me."
The Trump campaign has denied these allegations, dismissing them as "made up."
Despite the denials, Jean-Pierre stated that such actions, if true, pose serious risks.
"If it is true, it is indeed concerning, because we're talking about our national security here," she reiterated during the briefing.
