Media say Epstein 'pursued' Putin
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian president (Getty Images)
Emails from the recently released Jeffrey Epstein archive reveal that the billionaire tried for years to arrange a meeting with Vladimir Putin, according to The Independent.
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Attempts to meet Russian leader
According to files from the US Department of Justice, Epstein actively tried to arrange a meeting with Vladimir Putin from 2010 to 2018. The Russian president is mentioned 1,055 times in the emails.
The correspondence includes requests to friends and political contacts to organize an audience to discuss foreign investments and economic projects.
Visa requests and diplomatic contacts
Epstein tried to obtain a Russian visa starting in 2010 and wondered whether he should contact his "friends of Putin." In 2011, he wrote to Emirati businessman Ahmed bin Sulayem: “Putin could come to the US, so Sochi is unlikely.”
The financier also explored the possibility of meeting Putin through former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who at the time was Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Preparation for negotiations and economic initiatives
Epstein used his contacts to invite Putin to dinners with other influential figures, including Bill Gates, and suggested discussing digital currencies and investment opportunities.
He repeatedly emphasized the need for confidential time to speak with the Russian leader and coordinated details through intermediaries.
Context and clarifications
The inclusion of Putin in Epstein’s emails does not imply his participation or consent to any meetings. Former intermediaries, including Jagland and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, confirmed involvement in discussions but did not report any inappropriate behavior or parties.
The documents show Epstein’s persistence and his attempts to leverage international contacts for economic and political goals. The Russian president appears in the materials as a subject of interest and a potential meeting, but there is no direct evidence of interaction.
Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify before Congress as part of the investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
US President Donald Trump responded for the first time to the widespread mentions of his name in the new batch of Epstein files, stating that he has no connection to the sex offender’s case.
