Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary and Senior Advisor, said that the Biden administration is “serious” about reports claiming that Donald Trump’s predecessor had secretly called Russian President Vladimir Putin. She made this statement during a press briefing on October 9.
The New York Times reported on October 8 that Trump and Putin spoke seven times after Trump left office in 2020. The report was based on a book written by journalist Bob Woodward.
The two allegedly talked while Trump was reportedly pressing Republicans to block the $60 Billion aid package for Kyiv.
“Do we have any serious concerns?” Jean-Pierre replied on Oct. 9 that “yes, if true.” She noted that she was unable to confirm that the calls had taken place.
“Let’s remember, it’s concerning, especially when we learn that the former president was lobbying for more aid to Ukraine — to Ukraine so they can defend themselves against Russia’s aggression,” she said.
Trump’s views on Ukraine continue dividing Republicans and alarming Ukraine’s allies as he seeks reelection in November. Trump has criticised President Volodymyr Zelensky for not’making a deal’ and has refused to state outright that he is in favor of a Ukrainian victory.
Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized Trump for his admiration for dictators like Putin.
Woodward’s “War” book alleges that Trump ordered an aide to leave his office at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in early 2024 in order to make a phone conversation with Putin.
Trump allegedly also secretly sent Putin COVID-19 testing devices for his personal use when the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020. In a telephone conversation with Trump the Russian president asked that his U.S. counter-part not publicly disclose this information.
According to the book, Putin told Trump: “I don’t think you should tell anyone because they will be mad at you and not me.”
The Trump campaign denied the reports and called them “fabricated.”
Jean-Pierre didn’t confirm the calls but she said that they would be a threat to U.S. and Ukrainian security.
“(I]f it is true, then it is indeed concerning because we are talking about our national safety here,” she said.
Karine Jean Pierre, White House Press Secretary, said: “Let’s remember, it’s concerning, especially since we know that the former president was lobbying for more aid to Ukraine — to Ukraine so they can defend themselves against Russia’s aggression.”
Drones attacked Khanskaya Military Airfield in Russia’s Republic of Adygea early on 10 October, causing an explosion at the site. Local authorities have not made any comments on the attack.
Senior U.S. officials stated that the reliable flow of supplies to the region, and Russia’s focus in eastern Ukraine, will allow Kyiv hold territory in Kursk Oblast well into the future.
Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stltenberg stated that “if we had delivered even a fraction of what we have delivered since 2022, we might have prevented the war.”
“Russian losses – both killed and injured in action – in the first year of war exceeded all Soviet losses since World War II,” a senior Pentagon officials said.
Telegram reported that at least six people died and 11 were injured in a Russian rocket strike on the southern Odesa Oblast of Ukraine on Oct. 9. Regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed this.
The European Union has approved a plan that is unprecedented in the world. It involves a 35 billion euro ($37.2 billion), loan to Ukraine’s war-torned economy. This loan will be secured by assets of Russia’s Central Bank, which are currently immobilized.
The Ukrainian General Staff stated that the destruction of the Shahed drones base would significantly reduce the ability for the Russian occupiers terrorize civilians living in Ukrainian cities and villages.
“I will meet separately with the leaders of Britain and France in each country. “I will be quick and then present the victory plan to our partners at Ramstein,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The MiG-31K is the first to land in over a year. The Belaruski Hajun group reported that three Russian MiG-31Ks had left the country in April 2023 and haven’t been seen since.
“In October, December and November we have the chance to make a real difference in moving things towards peace and stability.” Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, said that the situation on the battlefield offers an opportunity to take decisive action and end the war by 2025.
“France is a pioneer in training a fully-fledged Ukrainian Brigade on its soil.” This initiative is unprecedented in terms of both the number of soldiers trained and the duration of training,” said the French Embassy in Kyiv.
In a press release, the Ramstein Air Base stated that “announcements regarding future Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meetings will be forthcoming.”
The State Property Fund of Ukraine announced on October 9th that it sold UMCC-Titanium, a state-owned company, to Cemin Ukraine for Hr 3.94 bn hryvnia (96 million dollars).
Lithuania’s Defense Minister Laurynas stated that other bridges leading to Kaliningrad will also be fortified and some may even mined.
Berlin, initially a reluctant partner, has become Ukraine’s largest military donor after the U.S.
Viktor Orban: “I would have loved to debate the Presidential Program but I see that you are not interested.”
Ukraine’s independent press has made great strides since 2014’s EuroMaidan Revolution, but there have been concerns since the full-scale Russian invasion.
The talks will be centered around achieving peace, Ukraine’s path to NATO and EU, as well the reconstruction of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October 9.
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