Kremlin Responds To Trump's Claim Putin Would Grant Him – And Only Him – A Particular Favour

A Kremlin spokesperson responded indifferently to Donald Trump’s recent assertions about his relationship with Vladimir Putin. The former US president claimed on social media that, if re-elected, he would leverage his bond with Putin to secure the release of a US journalist.

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has been imprisoned in Russia for over a year on espionage charges.

Trump, who is campaigning to defeat US President Joe Biden in November, posted on his platform, Truth Social: “Evan Gershkovich, the reporter from The Wall Street Journal, who is being held by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the election, but definitely before I assume office.

“He will be HOME, SAFE, AND WITH HIS FAMILY.

“Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!”

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the notion of a special relationship between Putin and Trump. 

He stated, “Naturally, Putin has no contact with Donald Trump.”

Putin previously surprised many in February by expressing a preference for Biden—who has labeled Putin a “killer”—to win the next US election.

While Trump was in office, he and Putin appeared to have a strong rapport, with Trump frequently praising the Russian leader. 

But now, the Kremlin minimized any special connection, emphasizing the importance of conducting talks between the US and Russia “in complete silence” and secrecy.

Peskov reiterated, “As for communication on the issue of persons in custody, convicts, we can state once again what we have repeatedly said, that these talks must be carried out in complete silence and in an absolutely covert manner. This is the only way to make them effective.”

Gershkovich has been detained in Russia since March 2023. He denies all charges of espionage and has the support of the Wall Street Journal and the Biden administration.

Trump has also claimed he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of returning to the White House, but has yet to provide any details on how.