Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly sought to build links with Russia’s top leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, though there is no evidence he ever succeeded, newly released US Justice Department documents suggest.One of the clearest examples dates to June 2018, a year after the sudden death of Russia’s former ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin. Epstein had met Churkin regularly in New York and had even offered to help Churkin’s son, Maxim, secure a job at a wealth management firm, CNN reported. Following Churkin’s death, Epstein sought a new channel to Moscow. On June 24, 2018, he emailed Norwegian politician Thorbjørn Jagland, then secretary general of the Council of Europe, asking him to relay a message to the Kremlin. “I think you might suggest to putin, that lavrov, can get insight on talking to me. vitaly churkin used (to) but he died. ?!” Epstein wrote. Jagland replied that he would meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s assistant and pass on the suggestion.The correspondence is part of a broader pattern revealed in the documents, which include emails between Epstein and international political figures over several years. Epstein tried multiple times to meet or speak with Putin, though there is no evidence he ever succeeded, the report revealed. Earlier correspondence from 2013 indicates Epstein wanted to meet Putin in Sochi and claimed he could advise Russia on attracting Western investment. In one email, he said Putin would need to set aside “real time and privacy” to meet him. Other emails suggest Epstein believed he had — or was close to having — access to the Russian leader, though the documents do not confirm any such meeting took place. The disclosures have fueled speculation in Europe. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would investigate Epstein’s possible links to Russian intelligence, calling the allegations a serious security concern. The Kremlin dismissed the claims, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying suggestions Epstein was tied to Russian intelligence should “not be taken seriously.”Epstein maintained ties with several Russians connected to the state, including Sergey Belyakov, a former official with links to the FSB and Russia’s sovereign wealth fund. Epstein also attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and offered to help Russian officials and investors, CNN reported. While Epstein did travel to Russia and sought visas as late as 2019, analysts cautioned that the documents largely depict a man eager to project influence and ingratiate himself with powerful figures — not proof that he ever gained real leverage in Moscow.
