Overview
- Rustem Umerov met privately in the United States with FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino during recent trips that also included talks in Miami with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Ukraine’s ambassador confirmed the FBI meetings and said they focused on national security matters, while an FBI official said shared law enforcement and security issues were discussed and that corruption was raised but not as the main topic.
- An FBI official dismissed suggestions the talks were improper as “complete nonsense,” responding to concerns reported by diplomats and officials.
- Some Western officials, speaking anonymously, believe the outreach may have sought amnesty from potential corruption allegations, and others worry the channel could be used to pressure Kyiv to accept a U.S.-proposed peace deal involving major concessions.
- The Washington Post newly disclosed Bongino’s involvement as Ukraine contends with a $100 million energy-sector graft probe and as a U.S.-shaped end-of-war proposal faces resistance in Kyiv.