Kushner: I never conspired with Russians

WASHINGTON: Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said he had four contacts with Russian officials but denied any collusion to help his father-in-law Donald Trump win the presidency, US media said.

In a statement Kushner released yesterday – hours before he was to appear before the Senate intelligence committee – he described contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and other Russian officials as normal in his former role as the campaign liaison to foreign governments, the Washington Post reported.

“I did not collude, nor know of anyone else in the campaign who colluded, with any foreign government,” Kushner wrote.

“I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds to finance my business activities in the private sector.”

Kushner, who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka, was expected to testify before the Senate intelligence committee yesterday, according to his lawyer, and the House panel today.

The 36-year-old billionaire investor, working at his first political position, was expected to be asked about his meetings with Russia’s ambassador to Washington, the head of a major Russian bank and a Russian lawyer – the latter along with Trump’s son Donald Jr.

Kushner said he planned to submit the 11-page statement for the record.

Special counsel and former FBI director Robert Mueller is leading an investigation into possible collusion.

The House and Senate, however, have organised separate investigations.

Sunday, White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said he hoped the appearances would be “the last time that he has to talk about Russia”.

I did not collude, nor know of anyone else in the campaign who colluded, with any foreign government. I had no improper contacts.

Jared Kushner