Russian Boris Epstein May Become Trump's Representative for Resolving the War in Ukraine

Boris Epstein, the lawyer for newly elected US President Donald Trump, has quickly become one of the most influential figures in the first days after the election. Not only has he put forward his candidacy for the role of mediator in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, but he also plays a key role in Trump's personnel appointments, writes The New York Times.

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As Trump flew to Washington for his first face-to-face meeting with incumbent President Joe Biden since the election, one of his top aides offered to play the role of peacemaker in future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine during the flight.

Attorney Boris Epstein, who coordinated Trump's criminal defense, has suggested to the president-elect that he be appointed special envoy in the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to four people familiar with the matter.

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Epstein, who was born and raised in Russia, has no foreign policy experience. But he said he has relatives in both warring countries.

According to the same sources, those on board the plane were shocked by the idea of ​​appointing Epstein to such a sensitive diplomatic position. In addition to his lack of diplomatic experience, Epstein is under investigation in Arizona for attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

But all the sources agreed on one thing: the person whose opinion matters most reacted to the proposal with the least surprise. Trump listened to the proposal with obvious interest and did not reject it, although he did not give his unambiguous consent.

Regardless of the outcome of Epstein’s offer to be a peacemaker, Trump has already given his lawyer extraordinary powers and shown a willingness to follow his recommendations, even when they conflict with the views of others. Even billionaire Elon Musk, who attended many of the transition meetings last week, privately expressed surprise at how much authority has been handed to Epstein.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity. Epstein declined to comment, and a Trump spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

Epstein, who left his White House press office post in 2017 over a security clearance issue (since resolved), has previously told friends that he intends to remain outside government as Trump’s lawyer and adviser. In Trump’s world, the lack of an official title means little in terms of actual influence.

While some in Trump’s inner circle dislike Epstein, no one in the president’s orbit doubts his influence. Epstein has quickly become one of the most powerful figures in the early days of the transition, despite having no formal title. He plays a significant role in filtering information to Trump, including on personnel matters.

Epstein is licensed to practice law in New York state, but he failed to renew his bar registration within 30 days of his August birthday, as required, according to the Administration of Courts website. That left him roughly two months late and out of compliance with state requirements; the court system typically provides grace periods and warnings before taking disciplinary action. After being contacted for comment on his bar registration on Nov. 14, Epstein apparently filed the required renewal.

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For years, Epstein has called for an aggressive legal strategy for his boss. He was among the lawyers who advised Trump to delay the lawsuits as much as possible, dragging them out until after the election to make them politically impractical.

The strategy was complex and expensive — the costs were covered by a political action committee Trump created in 2021 and involved filing numerous appeals and other legal requests — but it ultimately succeeded in avoiding conviction of Trump in the one criminal case that went to trial.

Whatever position Epstein gets, whether as an adviser or a lawyer, his influence in government is likely to remain.

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