Thousands of secretive messages linking Jeffrey Epstein to Vladimir Putin have been unearthed in the latest tranche of the Epstein Files. Emails show unnamed sources discussing meetings between Epstein and Putin, with commentators suggesting Epstein could have used Russian girls in the world's 'largest honeytrap' orchestrated by the Kremlin.
US security officials claim Epstein had longstanding ties with the Russian mafia, including organised crime bosses who may have been blackmailing him. One source told The Mail on Sunday: 'You have Andrew, Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and all the rest placed in compromising positions on an island bristling with technology.'
Millions of documents relating to Epstein have now been released by the US Department of Justice, with the latest set unveiled on Friday. Over 1,000 pages name Putin and almost 10,000 make reference to Moscow. Epstein maintained his links with Putin even after his 2008 conviction for engaging a child in prostitution.
According to intelligence sources, Epstein's Russia links were 'monitored' by US security for years, while UK agents were said to be wary due to his friendship with the then-Prince Andrew. The sources further allege that Epstein could have been introduced to espionage through disgraced media tycoon Robert Maxwell, the father of his long-time girlfriend Ghislaine. Maxwell reportedly worked as a Russian asset in the 1970s and helped Mossad extradite Soviet Jews to Israel.
One particular email dated September 11, 2011, shows an anonymous messenger discussing plans for an 'appointment with Putin' on Epstein's next trip to Russia. Another email from 2014 suggests yet another upcoming meeting with Putin, as Japanese entrepreneur Joi Ito writes Epstein: 'Hey Jeffrey, I wasn’t able to convince Reid [Hoffman] to change his schedule to go meet Putin with you.'
Other documents suggest Epstein had strong influence in Russia, with one in November 2010 asking someone if they needed a Russian visa. During Trump's first term, Epstein emailed Steve Bannon about a meeting between Thorbjorn Jagland and Sergei Lavrov. An FBI report wrote that Epstein was close to former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and 'trained as a spy under him'.
