In a remarkable diplomatic broadside, the Kremlin has publicly denounced and dismissed claims made by former US President Donald Trump that he witnessed Russia's leader conspiring with his Chinese and North Korean counterparts.
The sharp retort from Moscow was delivered by Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's long-serving press secretary. Peskov stated unequivocally to reporters that Trump's assertions were "absolutely incorrect" and that such a scenario was "impossible from the point of view of the complete absurdity of such a combination".
The Origin of the Controversy
The international row was triggered during a recent rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump recounted an unverified story to his supporters. He claimed to have personally observed Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong-Un "working together against us" during his time in office, though he provided no specific details, evidence, or context for this alleged collaboration.
Moscow's Firm Rebuttal
Peskov was emphatic in his denial, framing the claim as not just false but illogical. "We don't understand what kind of conversation we are talking about and what kind of circle," he said, highlighting the lack of substantive detail in Trump's account. The spokesman's comments represent a rare and direct public rebuttal from Moscow aimed at a figure who has often been perceived as favourable to the Kremlin.
Analysing the Fallout
This exchange signals a potential cooling of the often-ambiguous relationship between Trump and the Russian leadership. By so publicly and firmly rejecting the former President's narrative, the Kremlin may be calculating its position amidst a volatile US election cycle. The incident underscores the complex and often paradoxical nature of modern geopolitical discourse, where campaign trail rhetoric can trigger immediate international consequences.
For now, the Kremlin's message is clear: they will not let what they deem as false narratives, even from a potential ally, go unchallenged.
