Boris Epshteyn, a Moscow-born lawyer of US President-elect Donald Trump, has offered to become Washington's special envoy for the war in Ukraine and a mediator between Kiev and Russia, The New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The daily writes that Epshteyn quickly “became one of the most influential people” during the initial transition of power in the White House.
According to the newspaper, Epshteyn made such a proposal to Trump during the president-elect's flight to Washington first post-election meeting with President Joe Biden.
Epshteyn was born in Russia in 1981 and lived there as a child. “NYT” points out that the lawyer has no experience in foreign policy. Epshteyn himself claims – as the daily writes – that he has relatives “on both sides of the conflict.”
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“Several people on the plane were shocked.”
According to the New York Times, several people on the plane “were shocked” by the idea of giving Epshteyn such a sensitive position. The person least surprised by the proposal was Trump himself, who – writes “NYT” – listened to it with obvious interest and did not reject it, although he did not commit to anything.
The newspaper notes that Trump has already granted Epshteyn emergency powers and has shown a willingness to listen to his advice more than others, surprising even Elon Muskcurrently a close associate of the president-elect.
Boris Epshteyn (center, back) has become one of the most influential people in Donald Trump's entourageJABIN BOTSFORD/THE WASHINGTON POST POOL/EPA/PAP
“One of the most powerful people” in Trump's entourage
The New York daily recalls that Epshteyn previously worked in the White House during Trump's first presidency, in the communications office, but resigned from this position in 2017.
The daily writes that although there are people among Trump's close associates who “despise” Epshteyn, there is no one in the president-elect's entourage who would question the level of influence the lawyer has over Trump. “He quickly became one of the most powerful people in the early stages of the transition of presidential power, even though he holds no official position,” writes the NYT, adding that Epstheyn “has become an important gatekeeper for Trump,” influencing what information about future members staff reach the future host of the White House.
“Audacious action” and a surprising nomination
As proof of the effectiveness of Epshteyn's behind-the-scenes activities, the New York daily cites the situation related to his ejection Matt Gaetz's candidacy for attorney general.
He writes that in this case, Epshteyn “carried out one of his most audacious actions” and allegedly suggested such a nomination to Trump during the aforementioned flight to Washington to meet with Joe Biden.
In recent years, when Trump repeatedly appeared in court, Epshteyn was responsible for the strategy of the politician's conduct before justice. “He was one of the lawyers who urged Trump to delay the trials as long as possible, moving them close to the election date or even after the election, so as not to politically affect Trump's approval ratings,” describes “NYT.” This strategy – as the daily continues – was “difficult and expensive” and involved “flooding” the justice system with numerous applications that delayed trials.
The daily estimates that regardless of what title Epshteyn ultimately receives in the new Trump administration – whether it will be an advisor, consultant or some other function – “his influence in the government is lasting.”
Main photo source: JABIN BOTSFORD/THE WASHINGTON POST POOL/EPA/PAP