The latest release of Jeffrey Epstein documents has revealed startling details about the convicted paedophile financier's persistent attempts to court Russian President Vladimir Putin over nearly a decade. According to the US Department of Justice files published on Friday, Putin's name appears a staggering 1,055 times across the newly disclosed materials.
Epstein's Persistent Putin Pursuit
The documents, which add approximately 3 million records to what is now a 3.5 million-document Epstein library, show the disgraced billionaire's determined efforts to secure a meeting with the Russian leader. These attempts spanned from at least 2013 through to 2018, just one year before Epstein died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Emails between Epstein and various political figures reveal his desperation to discuss foreign investment opportunities in Russia with Putin. The financier, who had been convicted in 2008 for procuring a child for prostitution, appeared particularly focused on establishing connections with the Russian president during the early 2010s.
Diplomatic Channels Exploited
The files show Epstein repeatedly turned to Thorbjorn Jagland, the former prime minister of Norway who served as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, to facilitate a meeting. In May 2013, Jagland characterised Epstein's interest in an email, telling the financier he would need to explain his proposals to Putin personally.
"You have to do it. My job is to get a meeting with him," Jagland wrote, adding that he could tell Putin: "I know that you want to attract foreign investment to diversify Russian economy [...] I have a friend that can help you."
Multiple Failed Attempts
Epstein's pursuit took various forms over the years. In June 2013, he emailed Jagland inviting Putin to dinner in Paris, mentioning that Bill Gates would be staying with him. "Putin is welcome to join for dinner," Epstein wrote.
That same month, Epstein told former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak he hoped to meet Putin in June to discuss how Russia could encourage Western investment. However, weeks later he reported cancelling a meeting in St Petersburg, demanding the Russian leader "set aside real time and privacy" for him.
Visa Requests and Changing Circumstances
The documents reveal Epstein sought a Russian visa from at least 2010, asking a contact: "do i need to get visa, ? I have a friend of putin,s [sic], should i ask him?" A year later, in August 2011, he told Emirati businessman Ahmed bin Sulayem that "putin might come to the states", adding he would rather meet him there than in Sochi.
By July 2014, external events appeared to impact Epstein's plans. After a contact wrote that they couldn't convince someone to meet Putin with him, Epstein replied: "Bad idea now after plane crash." This referred to the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 disaster that had occurred three days earlier, which killed 283 people and was later ruled by a UN body to be Russia's responsibility.
Continued Efforts Through 2018
Epstein's attempts continued through subsequent years. In 2015, he wrote to Jagland: "I still would like to meet putin and talk economy, i would really appreciate your assistance." The following year he asked when Jagland would see Putin, and in 2017 requested he "talk to putin re digital currencies . the future."
On June 20, 2018, Epstein emailed Jagland: "Would love to meet putin." Four days later, he tried to pass a message to Russia's top diplomat via Jagland, writing: "I think you might suggest to putin that lavrov can get insight on talking to me." This likely referred to Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and close Putin ally.
Trump Connections and Diplomatic Distancing
Epstein added in the same email: "vitaly churkin used to .but he died. ? !" referring to the late Russian ambassador to the UN. He continued: "churkin was great . he understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple."
Jagland responded that he would meet with Lavrov's assistant and "suggest" the meeting. However, in a text message to Norwegian broadcaster NRK last year, Jagland distanced himself from Epstein, stating: "What has come to light about Jeffrey Epstein's private life, I strongly distance myself from."
He explained his diplomatic work required meeting many people and that "it was particularly important to understand Donald Trump and what developed in the relationship between the United States and Europe."
Additional Revelations
The files also contain a separate 2010 email exchange between Epstein and an address named "The Duke" suggesting Epstein arranged a dinner between the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and a "beautiful" 26-year-old Russian woman. Epstein described her as "russian, clevere beautiful, trustworthy" and confirmed she had the recipient's email.
It remains unclear whether Epstein ever succeeded in meeting Putin despite his extensive efforts. Many references to the Russian president in the documents appear tangential, such as in media bulletins sent to Epstein's email address. The inclusion of individuals in the Epstein files does not imply guilt, and several figures mentioned have acknowledged contact while maintaining they observed no inappropriate behaviour.
