Time: Exclusive: Russian Ex-Spy Pressured Manafort Over Debts to an Oligarch
When the U.S. government put out its latest sanctions list on Dec. 19, the man named at the top did not seem especially important. Described in the document as a former Russian intelligence officer, he was accused of handling money and negotiations on behalf of a powerful Russian oligarch. The document did not mention that the man, Victor Boyarkin, had links to the 2016 campaign of President Donald Trump.
A months-long investigation by TIME, however, found that Boyarkin, a former arms dealer with a high forehead and a very low profile, was a key link between a senior member of the Trump campaign and a powerful ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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WNU Editor: According to Time the mysterious Russian person identified as "V" by the Mueller investigation is Victor Boyarkin (not Vladimir Putin as some were speculating a few months ago). As for Russian Oligarch Oleg Deripaska connections to Paul Manafort and the money that Manafort owes him, that is old news. I am also skeptical of the Time's report claiming that this former intelligence officer is close to Russian President Putin. They provide no proof .... just the claim that he knows people who know people in the Kremlin. So what is the big story here .... according to Time a former GRU agent turned businessman was used in trying to retrieve money that Paul Manafort took (and did not pay). That is about it. And as to the big question .... was Paul Manafort pressured to give information and/or did he offer something to pay off his debt? From what I have read so far .... the answer is no.
More News On Time's Report That A Former Russian Spy Pressured Manafort To Pay Debts To Oligarch
Ex-Kremlin spy 'pressured Paul Manafort to pay back $19million in debt he owed to a Russian oligarch while he was in charge of Trump's campaign' -- Daily Mail
Paul Manafort pressured by Russians to pay back debt while Trump's campaign chair, Time magazine says -- CNN
Russian ex-spy reportedly pressured Manafort to pay debts to oligarch -- The Hill
Former Russian Spy Reportedly Pressured Manafort to Pay Back Oligarch Debts -- Slate
