A threat surfaced: Vladimir, I will attack you

"Vladimir, if you persecute Ukraine, I will attack you so hard that you will not be able to believe it. I will launch an attack directly on the center of damned Moscow," the author of the article quoted Trump as saying.

According to the former president, he told the Russian leader that he would not want to do that, because they are on good terms, but that he "would have no choice."

Trump did not specify when and under what circumstances this conversation could have taken place.

Responding during a meeting with the newspaper's editorial board about the possible use of military force against China in the event of a blockade of Taiwan, the former president expressed doubts about the necessity of such actions, referring to his relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I don't think I would have to do that. He knows I'm crazy as hell," Trump replied.

According to him, Putin also knows that.

Previously, Trump repeatedly said that he has good relations with the Russian leader and that he could resolve the Ukrainian conflict in case of victory in the November elections in the USA.