Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy, has a serious and unreported conflict of interest in Russia-Ukraine negotiations: his relationship with Ukraine-sanctioned businessman Len Blavatnik.
Wow, the corruption of this administration is blatant and outrageous. Ukraine cannot trust the US government. Being “friendly” with Russia might be good for these billionaires’ pockets but it is contrary to our national security, not just Ukraine’s. Great reporting, thank you.
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
Thank you for your support and for recognizing the broader implications. You're right—this isn’t just about Ukraine. Enabling authoritarian regimes anywhere undermines democratic values and global security.
Do you think public pressure can still shift policy when it comes to these billionaire interests and foreign ties?
I’ll respond:). I do think public pressure can and will shift policy, albeit slowly. The Trump opposition is correctly assailing his administration for deep corruption, and the best work in this regard is being done by the progressive left. But it’s something moderates are troubled by too. However, I doubt that any of these efforts will bear fruit in time to have much impact on the current Ukraine-Russia negotiations. Trump has successfully “flooded the zone with shit,” and your average voter and even the median Democratic congressperson is fixated on combating Trump’s tariffs and their dire economic impact.
Hi Liza. To answer your question, I do think public pressure can make a difference, but I fear that Nickson’s comment below- that it may come too late- might be true. Exposing the corruption is definitely key, and plenty of people are paying attention, but many are still blind to the push towards authoritarianism happening here.
Not surprised by this at all. But I think a better question to end with is: Does Trump and his administration even want a genuinely neutral mediator in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine? I think the evidence is stacking towards the negative.
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
That’s a really important point and one that deserves more attention. A neutral mediator is crucial for any credible peace process. If neutrality is off the table, it raises serious questions about intentions and outcomes.
Who do you think could still be seen as a trustworthy mediator in this context?
Another good question. I don’t know. Russia would never accept anyone from Europe. And Ukraine has concerns about the adoption of Russian talking points. It may necessitate a coalition or group of people working together as mediators. But mediators who truly value a just peace over politics.
International finance has been aiding & abetting oligarchs everywhere. It’s no surprise that American oligarchs want to pillage American resources without restrictions. This, more than tax breaks is why so many “businessmen” vote Republican.
👀 😱 Don't tell me a Trump admin person has conflicts of interest deeper than the deepest ocean trench on Earth ⁉️ Apart from his attraction to these types, to be fair no competent person with a moral or ethical conscience would agree to work for him, and I do believe he is DESPERATE to get a Nobel Peace Prize for ending the war, but where would he find anything other than the corrupt grifters who are all he has to choose from 🤷 I personally wish for a genuine & fair peace for Ukrainians, but if this lot help to bring it about it will be accident not competence 🥹💙💛
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
This is an important point, as when the people around such individuals are questionable, their true ability to bring about peaceful resolution comes into doubt. True peace requires not just the desire to end the conflict, but responsibility and honesty at every stage.
As a community manager, I hope you will help them get the facts straight and stop the hyperbolic conspiracies and innuendos.
From The Bulwark: BLAVATNIK RESPONDS: In Monday’s newsletter, we shared a report from the Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak, spotlighting business ties between Trump’s envoy to Vladimir Putin, Steve Witkoff, and Russian expat businessman Leonard Blavatnik. Yesterday, a representative for Blavatnik reached out to us pushing back hotly on Mak’s suggestion that Blavatnik represented a conflict-of-interest for Witkoff.
“Len Blavatnik has not spoken to Steve Witkoff about the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, nor has he been asked about it,” the representative told The Bulwark. “He has no involvement and has no interest in being involved.”
The representative added that “Len has absolutely no significant relationships in Kremlin circles” and “no contact with any of his old business partners in Russia.” They called suggestions otherwise: “guilt-by-previous-association speculation” that was “wildly inaccurate and unfair.”
What we found concerning and notable about Mak’s post was the way it spotlighted the potential hazards of running large portions of U.S. diplomacy through a business guy on short-term loan to the U.S. government. But we thought it was only fair to pass along Blavatnik’s perspective here as well.
BLAVATNIK RESPONDS: In Monday’s newsletter, we shared a report from the Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak, spotlighting business ties between Trump’s envoy to Vladimir Putin, Steve Witkoff, and Russian expat businessman Leonard Blavatnik. Yesterday, a representative for Blavatnik reached out to us pushing back hotly on Mak’s suggestion that Blavatnik represented a conflict-of-interest for Witkoff.
“Len Blavatnik has not spoken to Steve Witkoff about the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, nor has he been asked about it,” the representative told The Bulwark. “He has no involvement and has no interest in being involved.”
The representative added that “Len has absolutely no significant relationships in Kremlin circles” and “no contact with any of his old business partners in Russia.” They called suggestions otherwise: “guilt-by-previous-association speculation” that was “wildly inaccurate and unfair.”
What we found concerning and notable about Mak’s post was the way it spotlighted the potential hazards of running large portions of U.S. diplomacy through a business guy on short-term loan to the U.S. government. But we thought it was only fair to pass along Blavatnik’s perspective here as well.
Wow, the corruption of this administration is blatant and outrageous. Ukraine cannot trust the US government. Being “friendly” with Russia might be good for these billionaires’ pockets but it is contrary to our national security, not just Ukraine’s. Great reporting, thank you.
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
Thank you for your support and for recognizing the broader implications. You're right—this isn’t just about Ukraine. Enabling authoritarian regimes anywhere undermines democratic values and global security.
Do you think public pressure can still shift policy when it comes to these billionaire interests and foreign ties?
I’ll respond:). I do think public pressure can and will shift policy, albeit slowly. The Trump opposition is correctly assailing his administration for deep corruption, and the best work in this regard is being done by the progressive left. But it’s something moderates are troubled by too. However, I doubt that any of these efforts will bear fruit in time to have much impact on the current Ukraine-Russia negotiations. Trump has successfully “flooded the zone with shit,” and your average voter and even the median Democratic congressperson is fixated on combating Trump’s tariffs and their dire economic impact.
Hi Liza. To answer your question, I do think public pressure can make a difference, but I fear that Nickson’s comment below- that it may come too late- might be true. Exposing the corruption is definitely key, and plenty of people are paying attention, but many are still blind to the push towards authoritarianism happening here.
Not surprised by this at all. But I think a better question to end with is: Does Trump and his administration even want a genuinely neutral mediator in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine? I think the evidence is stacking towards the negative.
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
That’s a really important point and one that deserves more attention. A neutral mediator is crucial for any credible peace process. If neutrality is off the table, it raises serious questions about intentions and outcomes.
Who do you think could still be seen as a trustworthy mediator in this context?
Another good question. I don’t know. Russia would never accept anyone from Europe. And Ukraine has concerns about the adoption of Russian talking points. It may necessitate a coalition or group of people working together as mediators. But mediators who truly value a just peace over politics.
Of course Witkoff is compromised - Trump is compromised. I just hope that the EU & UK can offset this.
A lot of them are compromised too.
This is such thorough and careful reporting. Thank you.
This is very, very bad. I have studied Russia all my life. Witkoff has no business doing anything in our government, let line with Ukraine.
Thank you.
It’s about time we learned more about Witkoff. He is totally unqualified.
International finance has been aiding & abetting oligarchs everywhere. It’s no surprise that American oligarchs want to pillage American resources without restrictions. This, more than tax breaks is why so many “businessmen” vote Republican.
Great reporting. Thanks!
I wish I could say I am shocked over another connection to Russian oligarchs.
👀 😱 Don't tell me a Trump admin person has conflicts of interest deeper than the deepest ocean trench on Earth ⁉️ Apart from his attraction to these types, to be fair no competent person with a moral or ethical conscience would agree to work for him, and I do believe he is DESPERATE to get a Nobel Peace Prize for ending the war, but where would he find anything other than the corrupt grifters who are all he has to choose from 🤷 I personally wish for a genuine & fair peace for Ukrainians, but if this lot help to bring it about it will be accident not competence 🥹💙💛
Hello! I'm Liza, a new community manager of Counteroffensive.
This is an important point, as when the people around such individuals are questionable, their true ability to bring about peaceful resolution comes into doubt. True peace requires not just the desire to end the conflict, but responsibility and honesty at every stage.
As a community manager, I hope you will help them get the facts straight and stop the hyperbolic conspiracies and innuendos.
From The Bulwark: BLAVATNIK RESPONDS: In Monday’s newsletter, we shared a report from the Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak, spotlighting business ties between Trump’s envoy to Vladimir Putin, Steve Witkoff, and Russian expat businessman Leonard Blavatnik. Yesterday, a representative for Blavatnik reached out to us pushing back hotly on Mak’s suggestion that Blavatnik represented a conflict-of-interest for Witkoff.
“Len Blavatnik has not spoken to Steve Witkoff about the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, nor has he been asked about it,” the representative told The Bulwark. “He has no involvement and has no interest in being involved.”
The representative added that “Len has absolutely no significant relationships in Kremlin circles” and “no contact with any of his old business partners in Russia.” They called suggestions otherwise: “guilt-by-previous-association speculation” that was “wildly inaccurate and unfair.”
What we found concerning and notable about Mak’s post was the way it spotlighted the potential hazards of running large portions of U.S. diplomacy through a business guy on short-term loan to the U.S. government. But we thought it was only fair to pass along Blavatnik’s perspective here as well.
Thump wants to do business with Russia & remove sanctions from Russians buying his properties.
why end with a rhetorical question? No, they can't!
We will do better next time!!
From The Bulwark:
BLAVATNIK RESPONDS: In Monday’s newsletter, we shared a report from the Counteroffensive’s Tim Mak, spotlighting business ties between Trump’s envoy to Vladimir Putin, Steve Witkoff, and Russian expat businessman Leonard Blavatnik. Yesterday, a representative for Blavatnik reached out to us pushing back hotly on Mak’s suggestion that Blavatnik represented a conflict-of-interest for Witkoff.
“Len Blavatnik has not spoken to Steve Witkoff about the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, nor has he been asked about it,” the representative told The Bulwark. “He has no involvement and has no interest in being involved.”
The representative added that “Len has absolutely no significant relationships in Kremlin circles” and “no contact with any of his old business partners in Russia.” They called suggestions otherwise: “guilt-by-previous-association speculation” that was “wildly inaccurate and unfair.”
What we found concerning and notable about Mak’s post was the way it spotlighted the potential hazards of running large portions of U.S. diplomacy through a business guy on short-term loan to the U.S. government. But we thought it was only fair to pass along Blavatnik’s perspective here as well.
Do you find Blavatnik's response credible?
Scoop: what I revealed on Substack last week! https://open.substack.com/pub/levremembers/p/live-with-lev-parnas-7a0?r=mg20&utm_medium=ios
I read Len Blavatnik donated to several senators and PACs for Sen. Marco Rubio - see House of Trump, House of Putin by C Unger.