Russian President Vladimir Putin has sidestepped questions about alleged private phone calls with former President Donald Trump, leaving room for speculation about potential undisclosed communications between the two leaders.
When asked directly about reports of multiple phone conversations by journalist Pavel Zarubin during an interview on Russian state television, Putin shifted focus, refusing to confirm or deny the claims.
"As for contacts with Mr. Trump. This is something that has been constantly discussed for more than one year," Putin said.
He then pivoted to the Mueller probe, stating that it proves Trump is not connected to Russia.
Special counsel Robert Mueller failed to establish that the Trump campaign criminally conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election but the report failed to exonerate him, according to the BBC.
"Trump himself was once accused of being somehow connected with Russia. Then, as a result of an investigation in the U.S. itself, everyone came to the conclusion—including in Congress, I think—that this was complete nonsense.
"That nothing like this had ever happened. It had not happened before, and it does not happen now."
Zarubin then asked Putin whether Trump had threatened him, as Trump claimed previously. Putin replied that he did not remember such a conversation, but didn't go as far as to suggest there were no conversations with Trump after 2021.
Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Friday that he had warned Putin—with whom he said he had a "great relationship"—not to go to war in Ukraine or he would "hit" Moscow.
"I said, 'Vladimir, 'if you go after Ukraine, I am going to hit you so hard, you're not even going to believe it. I'm going to hit you right in the middle of fricking Moscow,'" Trump said.
Trump refused to say in a recent interview whether he had spoken to Putin since leaving office, while insisting that "if I did, it's a smart thing."
Trump made the comment while sparring with Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait during a scheduled appearance at the Economic Club of Chicago on October 15.
Newsweek contacted Trump's office online and also the Information Department of the Government of the Russian Federation via email on Friday for comment.
Speaking to Newsweek on Friday by telephone, Keir Giles, Senior Consulting Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at think tank Chatham House said: "There are so many reasons why Putin wouldn't confirm phone calls.
"Putin will be acutely aware that confirming the fact of contact between [he and] Trump after his presidential term ended on an unofficial basis would reflect badly on Russia's candidate in the U.S. presidential election.
"So, it's no surprise that Putin would avoid either confirming or denying that conversations took place.
"Trump is keen to play down any indication that he is Russia's preferred candidate and favors Russian policy outcomes. So, it stands to reason that Russia would assist him not amplifying any suggestion that that is the case.
"They want their man in, there's everything to play for. There's no reason why Putin would detract at all from what Trump is trying to do."
The lack of a direct answer from Putin regarding specific questions about Trump has intensified interest in Russia's communications with former U.S. officials, given past controversies surrounding alleged Russian influence in American elections and foreign policy.
Putin's evasive response is what some believe to be the latest in a series of ambiguous statements from the Kremlin on the state of U.S.-Russia relations since Trump's tenure. With no concrete answers from Putin, questions linger over whether these alleged calls occurred and, if so, what may have been discussed.
Political analysts note that Putin's reticence may signal either an attempt to deflect attention from controversial topics or a strategic move to maintain ambiguity in Russia-U. S. relations. The Russian leader's history with Trump has led to ongoing debate over their diplomatic engagements' true extent and potential impact on American politics.
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