Ex-Trump adviser Conway registers as lobbyist for Ukrainian oligarch

Former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway has registered to lobby on behalf of a Ukrainian oligarch, according to a new foreign agent disclosure filing.

Conway registered Friday to represent Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk’s foundation as a lobbyist, according to a filing uploaded by the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The filing suggests that she will try to engage with U.S. lawmakers and experts about Ukraine’s interests and will raise awareness about “Ukrainians’ fight for freedom and the Russian illegal war of aggression.”

She will also try to make “best efforts” to persuade U.S. lawmakers to attend the annual meeting of Yalta European Strategy in Kyiv Sept.13-14, according to the filing.

Conway registered to represent the U.K. office of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, according to the filing. The filing described the foundation as “a registered, private, nonpartisan, philanthropic company limited by guarantee in the United Kingdom primarily focused on advancing artistic, scientific, charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes in Ukraine or related to Ukraine.”

The filing noted that Victor Pinchuk “owns and controls” the foundation and that the Ukrainian government does not control or own it. It said the Ukrainian government is the “principal beneficiary of the registrant’s activities directed by the foreign principal.”

The filing included an agreement between Conway and the foundation, stating that she will be paid a monthly fee of $50,000. The term of the agreement began on July 25 and will end  Nov. 14, according to the document.

The latest move by Conway, who was one of former President Trump’s top campaign aides in 2016, to represent Pinchuk’s foundation comes as many Republicans are still hesitant to approve more aid to Ukraine. Trump has previously suggested that additional aid to Ukraine could come as a loan and has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in 24 hours if he were in the White House.

Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), led the opposition to the Ukrainian aid package, prompting some concerns from Republican senators who support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

In 2015, Trump’s charitable foundation received $150,000 from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in exchange for a 2015 speech he gave through a video at Pinchuk’s annual conference later that year. The New York Times reported that the donation was under scrutiny by the special counsel investigating ties between Trump’s team and Russia.

The Hill has reached out to Conway’s consulting firm and Pinchuk’s foundation for comment.

Tags 2024 presidential election JD Vance Kellyanne Conway russia ukraine

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