Kremlin reacts to Trump’s ‘Moscow strike’ threat

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s claim that he had threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with a strike on Moscow is attributable to US election rhetoric, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested on Monday.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Trump said that when he was president he warned Putin that he would target Moscow if Russia decides to use force against Ukraine.

When asked by journalists to address the issue on Monday, Peskov replied that the Russian authorities stick to their “very responsible stance of not making public the content of conversations that are conducted at the highest level.” 

“Unfortunately, a number of world leaders do not adhere to this position and, in this case, do not observe such information hygiene, but that is on their conscience,” he stressed.

Peskov noted that “currently there are many different fiery, very emotional statements [being made] in the US as part of the election campaign, especially in its final stage.” 

According to the latest Decision Desk HQ/The Hill poll, Trump has edged in front of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. As of Sunday, the former president’s chances of winning are estimated at 52%, while Harris has a 48% chance of taking the White House, according to the survey.

In an interview with the WSJ, Trump claimed that he has excellent relations with Putin, but that at some point he had to tell the Russian leader that “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… We’re friends. I don’t want to do it, but I have no choice.” 

Trump’s term in office expired in early 2021, more than a year before the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The Republican nominee has claimed repeatedly that the conflict wouldn’t have started if he had remained in office. He also vowed that he would stop the fighting between Moscow and Kiev within 24 hours if he returns to the White House.

Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and current deputy chair of the Security Council, doubted Trump’s ability to fulfil his promise, insisting that Moscow would have the final say on how the conflict ends. “What if Putin says: ‘Not yet. Ukraine must capitulate. And no joining NATO’,” he wrote on X.