Trump son-in-law details his Russia contacts but denies collusion
UNITED STATES: Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, detailed four meetings he held last year with Russian officials in a statement on Monday in which he also said he ‘‘did not collude’’ with Moscow during the 2016 US election campaign. Kushner, who met behind closed doors with Senate Intelligence Committee staff, issued a statement beforehand giving the fullest account to date of his contacts with Russian officials during the campaign and the presidential transition.
Kushner, a businessman, portrayed himself as someone who was new to politics when he became a top adviser to his fatherin-law’s campaign and was often so frantic fielding phone calls and emails that his recollections of some meetings was hazy. ‘‘I did not collude, nor know of anyone else in the campaign who colluded, with any foreign government,’’ he said. ‘‘I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds to finance my business activities in the private sector.’’
The Senate Intelligence Committee is one of several congressional panels investigating the Russia matter, along with a federal criminal probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller. Speaking at the White House after the meeting, Kushner said all of his actions were proper and occurred within a ‘‘very unique campaign.’’
The Republican president, who has called the Russia probes politically motivated, has been dogged by allegations that his campaign aides worked with Russia, which US intelligence agencies have accused of interfering in the election.
Kushner said he first met Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in Washington in April 2016 and shook hands. He said he did not recall phone calls with Kislyak between April and November 2016, as reported by in May, had found no evidence of the calls in phone records and was skeptical they took place.
Kushner said he met after the election with Sergei Gorkov, the head of Russian state-owned Vnesheconombank, because of Kislyak’s insistence and because the Russian had a ‘‘direct relationship’’ with President Vladimir Putin.
Kushner said that ‘‘no specific policy issues’’ were discussed.
Sanctions imposed by Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration were not discussed nor were Kushner’s business activities, Kushner said. Vneshekonombank is under US sanctions. Reuters