Donald Trump Addresses The Speculation Around His Russia Connections Once Again

<div><img src="https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6724ba5c1900003000ea688f.jpeg?ops=scalefit_630_noupscale" alt="Former President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin" data-caption="Former President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin" data-credit-link-back="" data-credit="via Associated Press" />Former President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin</div><div class="content-list-component text"><p>Former US president <a href="news/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Donald Trump</a> has played down his connections to <a href="news/russia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Russia</a> once again.</p><p>Speculation around the Republican nominee’s links to Moscow and president <a href="news/vladimir-putin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vladimir Putin</a> has been rising in recent weeks as the US election looms ever closer.</p><p>Journalist Bob Woodward <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald-trump-vladimir-putin_n_67053315e4b0cea985e0a424">wrote</a> in his book War – published last month – that Putin and Trump had <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald-trump-vladimir-putin_n_67053315e4b0cea985e0a424">up to seven</a> conversations over the phone since the latter left the White House.</p><p><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/putin-addresses-claims-he-spoke-to-trump-post-presidency_uk_671a6fc6e4b00589e7dc3011">Both sides have denied</a> the claims.</p><p>But the Republican nominee revived this speculation when speaking to right-wing interviewer <a href=&quot