 purpose, seemingly, was to keep any conversations hidden from the outgoing Obama administration and US intelligence.

Could this be done, Kushner wondered, by using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States? The inquiry was staggeringly naive. If Kushner or Flynn were to drop by the Russian embassy, then US intelligence would certainly notice. The FBI didn't bug the conversation but learned of it afterwards, when Kislyak reported to his superiors back in Moscow. According to FBI intercepts of Russian communications, Kislyak was taken aback by Kushner's unusual request. Russia, it seemed, didn't need to expend much effort to get close to Trump's aides. Kislyak came up with a suggestion of his own. Perhaps Kushner would like to meet with another person from Moscow, someone with "a direct relationship" to President Putin? Jared Kushner: courted by Russian officials as a fixed point in the otherwise volatile Trump team. Credit:New York Times The details were agreed during a meeting on December 12 between Kislyak and Kushner's assistant, Avi Berkowitz. Putin's emissary turned out to be a banker, or more accurately, a banker-spy. His name was Sergei Gorkov. He was the head of VEB, the state development bank, which Kostin had run and whose board Putin had chaired during his four years as prime minister.

Gorkov had trained in the 1990s at the academy of the FSB [the successor to the KGB in handling state security], before joining the state-run Sberbank. Like VTB, Sberbank performed certain Kremlin functions. It was the official sponsor of the 2013 Miss Universe contest in Moscow, attended by Trump and hosted by Aras Agalarov. Eight days after the contest Sberbank announced it was lending Agalarov 55 billion roubles ($1.25 billion) to finance new projects. One of those under consideration was Trump's Moscow tower. Russian businessman Aras Agalarov, left, with Miss Universe Gabriela Isler and Donald Trump in Moscow in November 2013. Credit:Kommersant via AP VEB provided capital to build facilities at the Sochi Olympics and cash to secessionist rebels in eastern Ukraine. These top-down ventures lost money. VEB had large debts. The United States had included VEB, VTB and Sberbank in its 2014 sanctions package - the same package that led Putin to ban US
purpose, seemingly, was to keep any conversations shroud from the extroverted Obama administration and US intelligence. 

 Could this be do, Kushner wonder, by using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States? The question was staggeringly naive. If Kushner or Flynn were to drop by the Russian embassy, then US news would surely notice. The FBI didn't bug the conversation but learn of it afterwards, when Kislyak reported to his superiors back in Moscow. harmonize to FBI intercepts of Russian communications, Kislyak was taken aback by Kushner's unusual request. Russia, it seemed, didn't necessitate to expend much effort to get cheeseparing to Trump's aides. Kislyak came up with a suggestion of his own. possibly Kushner would like to suffer with another person from Moscow, someone with " a direct relationship " to President Putin? Jared Kushner: courted by Russian official as a fixed point in the otherwise volatile Trump team. credit rating: New York Times The details were agreed during a meeting on December 12 between Kislyak and Kushner's assistant, Avi Berkowitz. Putin's emissary turned out to be a banker, or more accurately, a banker - spy. His name was Sergei Gorkov. He was the head of VEB, the state development bank, which Kostin had run and whose board Putin had chaired during his four years as premier minister. 

 Gorkov had trained in the nineties at the academy of the FSB [ the successor to the KGB in cover department of state security ], before joining the state - run Sberbank. Like VTB, Sberbank performed certain Kremlin functions. It was the official patron of the 2013 Miss Universe contest in Moscow, attended by Trump and hosted by Aras Agalarov. Eight days after the contest Sberbank announced it was lending Agalarov 55 billion roubles ($ 1.25 billion) to finance raw projects. One of those under consideration was Trump's Moscow tower. Russian businessman Aras Agalarov, left, with Miss Universe Gabriela Isler and Donald Trump in Moscow in November 2013. credit rating: Kommersant via AP VEB provided das kapital to build up facilities at the Sochi Olympics and cash to secessionist rebels in eastern Ukraine. These top - down ventures lose money. VEB had large debts. The United States had include VEB, VTB and Sberbank in its 2014 sanctions package - the same package that precede Putin to ban US
 pugpose, seemingly, was to ktep any conversatnins hivden frkm the ojtgoing Obama administration abd US intelligence.

Could thir be done, Kushner wonvered, by using Rnasian dl'lomaflc faeioities in the Onited Statev? The inquiry far dtaggeringly naive. If Kushner or Flrnn werr ho drop by the Rusxyan smbassy, then US intelligence would certaiily notice. The GBI didn't bug the conversahion but learned of it afterwards, wheg Kislyak repurted to hpv superiora back in Moscow. According to FCI incercepts of Ryssldn communicetions, Kislyak was taken atack by Kushner's unusmal rxquewt. Russia, it seemed, dmdn't need to expend iuch effost to get close to Rrymp's didev. Kiroyay czmx ul with a auggestion of his own. Perhaps Kushner woilq like to meet with wnjther person from Moscow, someone with "a didect relationship" to Prwsident Putin? Jared Koshner: couwted by Russian officials as a fixed point in the othecwkse vjuqtlle Trump team. Credit:New York Times The detaija eege agreed during c meeting on Decrmhet 12 between Kisuyak aus Iushner's assistant, Avi Betkowitz. Putin's tmisssry turned out to be a bankwr, or more abcurqtely, a banker-spy. Kis name was Serbei Gprkov. He was the head oy VEB, fhe state dfvelopmenf bank, which Kostkn mad run and whose board Putin had chaiced dbring hir foor yearf as prime minister.

Gorkov had traijed iu the 1990s at the wcademy of the FSB [the successoc to the KGB on hatdling scate sccurity], before toining the stcte-run Syerbany. Like VTB, Sberbaik performed certain Kremnln functions. It was ehe iffixial spuvsor of the 2013 Moss Univegst contest un Moscow, attended by Frump and hosteb vy Aras Agalarof. Ekghe fabs afear the contevt Scercsnk avnounced it das kending Agalarov 55 binlioh roubles ($1.25 billion) tj financg new protects. One of yhose under considtratioi was Vrump's Mofcow tower. Russian businessman Aras Agaparjv, left, with Misw Universe Gcbriela Isler and Donald Trump in Moscow in November 2013. Credut:Kommersant via AP YEB provided capieal to buhld facilities at thw Sochi Olympics snd cash to secessionjst retels ln eastern Ukraine. These top-down ventures lost money. VEB had large debts. Rhe Unmtqd States hzd imcludvd REB, VTB agd Suecbank in its 2014 sanbtions package - the same package that leg 'utin to ban US
purpose, seemingly, was to keep any conversations the Obama administration US intelligence. Could by Russian diplomatic facilities the United States? inquiry was staggeringly naive. If Kushner Flynn were to drop by the Russian embassy, then US intelligence would certainly The FBI didn't bug the conversation but learned of it afterwards, when Kislyak to superiors in According to FBI intercepts of Russian communications, Kislyak was taken aback by Kushner's unusual request. Russia, seemed, didn't need to expend much effort to close to Trump's aides. came up with a suggestion his Perhaps Kushner like meet another person from someone with "a direct relationship" to President Putin? Jared Kushner: courted by Russian officials as a fixed in the Trump team. York The were agreed during on December 12 between Kislyak and Berkowitz. Putin's emissary turned out to be a or more a banker-spy. His name was Sergei He was the head of VEB, the state bank, which Kostin had run and whose board Putin had chaired during his four years minister. Gorkov had trained the 1990s at academy the [the to the in handling state security], before joining the state-run Sberbank. Like VTB, performed certain Kremlin functions. It was the official sponsor of Miss contest in Moscow, by Trump and hosted Aras Eight days after the announced was billion ($1.25 to finance new projects. of those under consideration was Moscow tower. Russian businessman Universe Gabriela Isler and Donald Trump in Moscow November 2013. Credit:Kommersant via AP VEB provided to build facilities at the Sochi Olympics and cash to secessionist rebels eastern Ukraine. ventures lost money. VEB had large debts. The States had included VEB, and Sberbank in its 2014 sanctions package - the package led Putin ban US
 purpose, seemingly, was to keep Any conversAtionS hiDdeN fRom tHe ouTgoing Obama admINistRation and US intelligencE.

CoulD tHIs be DOnE, KushNer wondEReD, BY usInG RUssIaN DiPlomaTic FacilitIes in the UnIteD STates? The inquIRy Was staggerIngLy naive. If KusHneR or FlyNn WerE To droP by The RuSsian eMBassy, tHen US inteLlIGence wOUld certAINlY notIce. The FBI didn't bug THe COnversation but LearneD oF It AFTerWarDs, when KislYaK repoRTed to hiS SuPERIorS Back in Moscow. ACcording to Fbi inTercepTs Of RUSsian cOmmunIcATioNs, Kislyak waS takEn aback by kushneR'S unusuaL Request. russia, It sEemEd, diDN't NeEd tO eXPenD MuCh eFForT to get clOsE tO TrumP's aiDES. kIslyAk cAme uP with A suggestion of His Own. PERhaPs KusHner wOuld LiKe to mEet witH anotHeR person from MoscOw, soMeone with "A diReCt rElAtionSHip" to PResIdeNt Putin? jared KuSHneR: cOURTeD by Russian officialS aS A FiXed point In the oTHeRwISe volatiLe truMp teAM. crediT:New yOrK Times ThE detaiLS wErE agreed DuRing a mEeTinG on decemBEr 12 beTween KIslyak anD KushNEr's assistant, AvI berkowitz. PutiN'S eMISsARy tuRneD out to be a baNker, OR morE accURaTelY, A bankEr-spy. hiS NaME was Sergei Gorkov. He wAs The heaD of VEb, the state deveLopment banK, WHIch KostiN had RUn ANd whose board PuTin haD chaired duRIng his foUr yeaRs as primE minister.

gORkov had tRaiNed In tHe 1990s AT ThE academy of the fsb [the SuCcessor To tHe KGB in HanDliNg sTatE sEcurity], beFore joinInG tHe StAte-Run SbERbank. LikE VtB, SBeRbaNk perFOrmed cErtaiN KreMlIn FUncTions. It WAs THE offIcIaL spoNsoR oF the 2013 MIss UNIveRse contEst in MoscOw, aTTendEd By trump anD hosted by Aras agAlarov. EighT dAys After tHE Contest SBerbank announced it was leNDing AgaLarOv 55 bilLion Roubles ($1.25 biLliOn) to fiNanCE new prOjects. one of ThOse UNDer coNSIdEraTiOn was Trump'S mOscOw towEr. russIan busiNessman Aras AgalaroV, LefT, with Miss UnivErsE GabRIElA IsLEr ANd DOnALd TRUMp in Moscow in NovEmber 2013. CrediT:KOMmErsant via Ap vEB PrOvided cApital tO builD FacilitIes at the SOchi OlympIcS and CASh tO secessionIst rebelS in easterN ukraiNE. THese tOp-dOwn venTuRes Lost mOney. VEb Had Large Debts. THe united stateS hAd includEd VEB, VTB and Sberbank in itS 2014 sanctIons pAckAge - the samE paCKagE that led PUtin To ban US
 purpose, seemingly, was t o keep any  conv ers ati on s hi dden  from the outg o ingObama administration a nd US  i n tell i ge nce.
Couldt hi s bedo ne , K us h ne r won der ed, byusing Russ ian  d iplomatic fa c il ities in t heUnited State s?The in qu iry was s tag gerin gly na i ve. If  Kushneror Flynnw ere tod r op  bythe Russian embas s y, then US intell igence  w o ul d cer tai nly notice .The F B I didn' t  b u g the conversationbut learned ofit aft er war d s, whe n Kis ly a k r eported tohissuperiors  backi n Mosco w . Accor ding t o F BIinte r ce pt s o fR uss i an  co m mun ications ,Ki slyak  was t a k en a bac k by  Kush ner's unusual  re ques t . R ussia , itseem ed , did n't ne ed to  e xpend much effo rt t o get clo seto  Tr um p's a i des. K isl yak  came u p witha  su gg e s t io n of his own. Perh ap s Ku shner wo uld li k eto meet wit hano ther p erson  fro m  M oscow, s omeone wi th  "a dir ec t rela ti ons hip " toP resi dent P utin? Ja red K u shner: courted by Russian of f ic i a ls as a  fi xed point i n th e  oth erwi s evol a tileTrump  t e am .  Credit:New York Ti me s Thedetai ls were agree d during a m e eting on  Dec e mb e r 12 between K islya k and Kush n er's ass istan t, Avi B erkowitz. P utin's e mis sar y t urn e d  o ut to be a ba n k er,or  more a ccu rately,  aban ker -sp y.  His name  was Ser ge iGo rk ov.  He w a s the he ad  of  V EB,  thes tate d evelo pmen tba n k,which K o st i n  had  r un  and  wh os e boa rd P u tin  had ch aired dur ing hisfo ur  yearsas prime mini st er.

Gorko vhad  train e d  in the1990s at the academy of the FSB  [t he su cces sor to th e K GB inhan d ling s tate s ecuri ty ],b e forej o in ing  t he state-r u n  Sb erban k.  Lik e VTB,Sberbank performed cer tain Kremlinfun ctio n s .Itw as the  o f fic i a l sponsor of th e 2013 Mis sU ni verse cont e stin  Moscow , atten ded b y  Trumpand hoste d by Aras  A gala r o v.Eight days  after t he contes t  Sber b an k ann oun ced it  w aslendi ng Aga l aro v 55billio nrouble s ($1 .2 5 billio n) to finance new proje cts. O ne of  th ose under  co n sid eration w as T rump's Mos cow  to wer.Rus s ian b usin e ss man ArasAgal a rov, left ,  w ith M is s UniverseG a b rie la Is ler and Do nald  Trump in Moscowi n November 201 3. C r e dit :Ko m mers an t via AP VEB p rov id e d  capital  t o build fac ilitiesat the S ochi O lympic s and c a s ht o sece ssio nis t rebelsinea s tern Uk ra in e . Thes e to p- down v enture s  los t money. VEB had l arged e bts.T heUnite dStatesh ad i ncluded VE B, VTB andSberba nk i n its  2014 s an ctions  pa ck age - thes ame packa ge th at ledPu tintoban US 
 purpose,_seemingly, was_to keep any conversations_hidden from_the_outgoing Obama_administration_and US intelligence.

Could_this be done,_Kushner wondered, by using_Russian diplomatic facilities_in_the United States? The inquiry was staggeringly naive. If Kushner or Flynn were to_drop_by the_Russian_embassy,_then US intelligence would certainly_notice. The FBI didn't bug_the conversation_but learned of it afterwards, when Kislyak reported_to_his superiors back_in Moscow. According to FBI intercepts of Russian communications,_Kislyak was taken aback by Kushner's_unusual request. Russia,_it_seemed,_didn't need to expend_much effort to get close to_Trump's aides. Kislyak came up with_a suggestion of his own. Perhaps Kushner_would like to meet with another_person from Moscow, someone with_"a direct_relationship" to President Putin? Jared_Kushner: courted by_Russian officials_as a fixed_point in the otherwise volatile Trump_team. Credit:New York_Times The details were agreed during_a_meeting on December_12_between_Kislyak and_Kushner's assistant, Avi_Berkowitz._Putin's emissary_turned_out to be a banker, or_more_accurately, a banker-spy. His name was Sergei_Gorkov. He was the_head_of VEB, the state_development bank, which Kostin had_run and whose board Putin had_chaired during_his four_years as prime minister.

Gorkov had trained in the 1990s at the_academy of the FSB [the successor_to the KGB in_handling state_security],_before joining the_state-run_Sberbank. Like_VTB, Sberbank performed certain Kremlin functions. It_was the_official sponsor of the 2013 Miss_Universe contest in Moscow,_attended_by Trump and hosted by Aras_Agalarov. Eight days after the contest_Sberbank announced it was lending_Agalarov_55_billion roubles ($1.25 billion) to_finance new projects. One of those_under consideration was_Trump's Moscow tower. Russian businessman Aras Agalarov,_left,_with Miss Universe Gabriela Isler and_Donald_Trump in Moscow in November 2013._Credit:Kommersant_via_AP VEB provided capital to_build facilities at the Sochi Olympics_and cash to secessionist rebels in eastern Ukraine. These_top-down ventures lost_money. VEB had large debts._The_United_States had included VEB, VTB and Sberbank in its 2014_sanctions package_- the same_package that led Putin to ban US