Full text of "The Steele Dossier - Trump Intelligence Allegations"

https://archive.org/stream/TheSteelDossierTrumpIntelligenceAllegations/The%20Steele%20Dossier%20-%20Trump-Intelligence-Allegations_djvu.txt

Full text of "The Steele Dossier - Trump Intelligence Allegations"

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP’S 
ACTIVITIES IN RUSSIA AND COMPROMISING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 
KREMLIN 


Summary 

- Russian regime has been cultivating, supporting and assisting TRUMP for 
at least 5 years. Aim, endorsed by PUTIN, has been to encourage splits and 
divisions in western alliance 

- So far TRUMP has declined various sweetener real estate business deals 
offered him in Russia in order to further the Kremlin’s cultivation of him. 
However he and his inner circle have accepted a regular flow of 
intelligence from the Kremlin, including on his Democratic and other 
political rivals 

- Former top Russian intelligence officer claims FSB has compromised 
TRUMP through his activities in Moscow sufficiently to be able to 
blackmail him. According to several knowledgeable sources, his conduct 
in Moscow has included perverted sexual acts which have been 
arranged/monitored by the FSB 

A dossier of compromising material on Hillary CLINTON has been collated 
by the Russian Intelligence Services over many years and mainly 
comprises bugged conversations she had on various visits to Russia and 
intercepted phone calls rather than any embarrassing conduct. The 
dossier is controlled by Kremlin spokesman, PESKOV, directly on PUTIN’S 
orders. However it has not as yet been distributed abroad, including to 
TRUMP. Russian intentions for its deployment still unclear 


Detail 

1. Speaking to a trusted compatriot in June 2016 sources A and B, a senior 
Russian Foreign Ministry figure and a former top level Russian 
intelligence officer still active inside the Kremlin respectively, the Russian 
authorities had been cultivating and supporting US Republican 
presidential candidate, Donald TRUMP for at least 5 years. Source B 
asserted that the TRUMP operation was both supported and directed by 
Russian President Vladimir PUTIN. Its aim was to sow discord and 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 





CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


Kr,t-h within the US itself, but more especially within the 
d‘ SU n,ty both w hn ' which was viewed as inimical to Russia's interests. 

” B “s S ia„ financial -metal said th. TRUMP operation 
Sould to seen in iernts of PUTIN'S desire to return to!Nineteenth 
roni-nrv'Great Power politics anchored upon countries interests 
rhan the ideals-based international order established after Worl a 
Two. S/he had overheard PUTIN talRihg in this way in dose associates on 

several occasions. 

? in terms of specifics, Source A confided that the Kremlin had been feeding 
TRUMP and his team valuable intelligence on his opponents, including 
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary CLINTON, for several years 
^more below). This was confirmed by Source D, a close associate of 
TRUMP who had organized and managed Ins recent trips to os ^° ^ 
who reported, also in June 2016, that this Russian >n»DM» be ™ 
"very helpful". The Kremlin’s cultivation operation on 1 RUMP also 
comprised offering him various lucrative real estate develop me _ ^ 

business deals in Russia, especially in relation to the ong g 
Cup soccer tournament However, so far, for reasons unknown, T R 

had not taken up any of these. 

3 However, there were other aspects to TRUMP’s engagement with the 
Russian authorities. One which had borne fruit for them was to exploit 
TRUMP'S personal obsessions and sexual perversion in order to obta 
suitable ‘kompromaf (compromising material) on him. According to 
Source D, where s/he had been present, TRUMP’s (perverted) conduct in 
Moscow included hiring the presidential suite of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, 
where he knew President and Mrs OBAMA (whom he hated) had stayed 
on one of their official trips to Russia, and defiling the bed where they had 
slept by employing a number of prostitutes to perform a ’golden showers 
(urination) show in front of him. The hotel was known to be under FSB 
control with microphones and concealed cameras in all the main rooms 
to record anything they wanted to. 


4. The Moscow Ritz 

who said that s/he and several of the staff were aware of it at the time 
and subsequently. S/he believed it had happened in 2013. Soui ce E 
provided an introduction for a company ethnic Russian operative to 
Source F, a female staffer at the hotel when TRUMP had stayed there, who 
also confirmed the story. Speaking separately in June 2016, Source B (the 
former top level Russian intelligence officer) asserted that TRUMP’s 
unorthodox behavior in Russia over the years had provided the 
authorities there with enough embarrassing material on the now 
Republican presidential candidate to be able to blackmail him if they so 
wished. 


5. Asked about the Kremlin's reported intelligence feed to TRUMP over 
recent years and rumours about a Russian dossier of 'kompromat’ on 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 




CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


milarv CLINTON fbeing circulated). Source B confirmed the file’s 
ex" ttnce S/™ confided in a trusted compatriot that it had been collated 
by Department K of the FSB for many years, dating back to hcr husband 
Bill’s presidency, and comprised mainly eavesdropped conversations o 
various sorts rather than details/evidence of unorthodox or 
embarrassing behavior. Some of the conversations were 
comments CLINTON had made on her various trips to Russia an 
on things she had said which contradicted her current position on vano 
issues. Others were most probably from phone intercepts. 

6. Continuing on this theme, Source G, a senior Kremlin o ffi ci al . confided 
that the CLINTON dossier was controlled exclusively by chief Krem 

spokesman, Dmitriy PESKOV, who was responsible for 

compiling/handling it on the explicit instructions of PUTIN himself. T 
dossier however had not as yet been made available abroad, “eluding 
TRUMP or his campaign team. At present it was unclear what PU s 
intentions were in this regard. 


20 June 2016 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 






CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/086 


RUSSIA/CYBER CRIME: A SYNOPSIS OF RUSSIAN STATE SPONSORED AND 
OTHER CYBER OFFENSIVE (CRIMINAL) OPERATIONS 


Summary 


Russia has extensive programme of state-sponsored offensive <3 font="" nbsp="">
operations. External targets include foreign governments and mg 
corporations, especially banks. FSB leads on cyber «« hin R ““ ,a " 
apparatus. Limited success in attacking top foreign targets like G7 
governments, security services and IFIs but much more on.secondM 
ones through IT back doors, using corporate and other visito 

FSB often uses coercion and blackmail to recruit mostc a p a ble cyber , 
operatives in Russia into its state-sponsored programmes. Heavy 
both wittingly and unwittingly, of CIS emigres working in western 
corporations and ethnic Russians employed by neighbouring 
governments e.g. Latvia 

Example cited of successful Russian cyber operation targeting senior 
Western business visitor. Provided back door into important es ern 
institutions. 


Example given of US citizen of Russian origin approached by FSB and 
offered incentive of “investment” in his business when visiting Moscow. 


Problems however for Russian authorities themselves in countering local 
hackers and cyber criminals, operating outside state control. Central Bank 
claims there were over 20 serious attacks on correspondent accounts 
held by CBR in 2015, comprising Roubles several billion in fraud 

Some details given of leading non-state Russian cyber criminal groups 


Details 

1. Speaking in June 2016, a number of Russian figures with a detailed 

knowledge of national cyber crime, both state-sponsored and otherwise, 
outlined the current situation in this area. A former senior intelligence 
officer divided Russian state-sponsored offensive cyber operations into 
four categories (in order of priority):- targeting foreign, especially 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


western governments; penetrating leading foreign business corporations, 
especially banks; domestic monitoring of the elite; and attacking political 
opponents both at home and abroad. The former intelligence officer 
reported that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was the lead 
organization within the Russian state apparatus for cyber operations. 

2. In terms of the success of Russian offensive cyber operations to date, a 
senior government figure reported that there had been only limited 
success in penetrating the "first tier" foreign targets. These comprised 
western (especially G7 and NATO) governments, security and intelligence 
services and central banks, and the IFls. To compensate for this shortfall, 
massive effort had been invested, with much greater success, in attacking 
the "secondary targets", particularly western private banks and the 
governments of smaller states allied to the West. S/he mentioned atvia 
in this regard. Hundreds of agents, either consciously cooperating with 
the FSB or whose personal and professional IT systems had been 
unwittingly compromised, were recruited. Many were people who had 
ethnic and family ties to Russia and/or had been incentivized financially 
to cooperate. Such people often would receive monetary inducements or 
contractual favours from the Russian state or its agents in return. This 
had created difficulties for parts of the Russian state apparatus in 
obliging/indulging them e.g. the Central Bank of Russia knowingly having 
to cover up for such agents’ money laundering operations through the 
Russian financial system. 

3. In terms of the FSB’s recruitment of capable cyber operatives to carry out 
its, ideally deniable, offensive cyber operations, a Russian IT specialist 
with direct knowledge reported in June 2016 that this was often done 
using coercion and blackmail. In terms of‘foreign’ agents, the FSB was 
approaching US citizens of Russian (Jewish) origin on business trips to 
Russia. In one case a US citizen of Russian ethnicity had been visiting 
Moscow to attract investors in his new information technology program. 
The FSB clearly knew this and had offered to provide seed capital to this 
person in return for them being able to access and modify his IP, with a 
view to targeting priority foreign targets by planting a Trojan virus in the 
software. The US visitor was told this was common practice. The FSB also 
had implied significant operational success as a result of installing cheap 
Russian IT games containing their own malware unwittingly by targets 
on their PCs and other platforms. 

4. In a more advanced and successful FSB operation, an IT operator inside a 
leading Russian SOE, who previously had been employed on conventional 
(defensive) IT work there, had been under instruction for the last year to 
conduct an offensive cyber operation against a foreign director of the 
company. Although the latter was apparently an infrequent visitor to 
Russia, the FSB now successfully had penetrated his personal IT and 
through this had managed to access various important institutions in the 
West through the back door. 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


5 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


5. In terms of other technical IT platforms, an FSB cyber operative flagged 
up the ‘Telegram’ enciphered commercial system as having been of 
especial concern and therefore heavily targeted by the FSB, not least 
because it was used frequently by Russian internal political activists and 
oppositionists. His/her understanding was that the FSB now successfully 
had cracked this communications software and therefore it was no longer 
secure to use. 

6. The senior Russian government figure cited above also reported that 
non-state sponsored cyber crime was becoming an increasing problem 
inside Russia for the government and authorities there. The Central Bank 
of Russia claimed that in 2015 alone there had been more than 20 
attempts at serious cyber embezzlement of money from corresponding 
accounts held there, comprising several billions Roubles. More generally, 
s/he understood there were circa 15 major organised crime groups in the 
country involved in cyber crime, all of which continued to operate largely 
outside state and FSB control. These included the so-called 'Anunak', 
‘Buktrap’ and ‘Metel’ organisations. 


26 July 2015 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


4 - 


COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/095 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: FURTHER INDICATIONS OF 
EXTENSIVE CONSPIRACY BETWEEN TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN TEAM AND THE 
KREMLIN 

Summary 

Further evidence of extensive conspiracy between TRUMP’s campaign 
team and Kremlin, sanctioned at highest levels and involving Russian 
diplomatic staff based in the US 

- TRUMP associate admits Kremlin behind recent appearance of DNC e- 
mails on WikiLeaks, as means of maintaining plausible deniability 

Agreed exchange of information established in both directions. TRUMP s 
team using moles within DNC and hackers in the US as well as outside in 
Russia. PUTIN motivated by fear and hatred of Hillary CLINTON. Russians 
receiving intel from TRUMP’s team on Russian oligarchs and their families 
in US 

Mechanism for transmitting this intelligence involves “pension" 
disbursements to Russian emigres living in US as cover, using consular 
officials in New York, DC and Miami 

Suggestion from source close to TRUMP and MANAFORT that Republican 
campaign team happy to have Russia as media bogeyman to mask more 
extensive corrupt business ties to China and other emerging countries 


Detail 

1. Speaking in confidence to a compatriot in late July 2016, Source E, an 
ethnic Russian close associate of Republican US presidential candidate 
Donald TRUMP, admitted that there was a well-developed conspiracy of 
co-operation between them and the Russian leadership. This was 
managed on the TRUMP side by the Republican candidate’s campaign 
manager, Paul MANAFORT, who was using foreign policy advisor, Carter 
PAGE, and others as intermediaries. The two sides had a mutual interest 
in defeating Democratic presidential candidate Hillary CLINTON, whom 
President PUTIN apparently both hated and feared. 

2. Inter alia, Source E, acknowledged that the Russian regime had been 
behind the recent leak of embarrassing e-mail messages, emanating from 
the Democratic National Committee (DNC), to the WikiLeaks platform. 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


The reason for using WikiLeaks was "plausible deniability” and the 
operation had been conducted with the full knowledge and support of 
TRUMP and senior members of his campaign team. In return the TRUMP 
team had agreed to sideline Russian intervention in Ukraine as a 
campaign issue and to raise US/NATO defence commitments in the 
Baltics and Eastern Europe to deflect attention away from Ukraine, a 
priority for PUTIN who needed to cauterise the subject. 

In the wider context of TRUMP campaign/Kremlin co-operation, Source E 
claimed that the intelligence network being used against CLINTON 
comprised three elements. Firstly there were agents/facilitators within 
the Democratic Party structure itself; secondly Russian emigre and 
associated offensive cyber operators based in the US; and thirdly, state- 
sponsored cyber operatives working in Russia. All three elements had 
played an important role to date. On the mechanism for rewarding 
relevant assets based in the US, and effecting a two-way flow of 
intelligence and other useful information, Source E claimed that Russian 
diplomatic staff in key cities such as New York, Washington DC and 
Miami were using the emigre ‘pension’ distribution system as cover. The 
operation therefore depended on key people in the US Russian emigre 
community for its success. Tens of thousands of dollars were involve . 

In terms of the intelligence flow from the TRUMP team to Russia, Source 
E reported that much of this concerned the activities of business 
oligarchs and their families’ activities and assets in the US, with which 
PUTIN and the Kremlin seemed preoccupied. 

Commenting on the negative media publicity surrounding alleged 
Russian interference in the US election campaign in support of TRUMP, 
Source E said he understood that the Republican candidate and his team 
were relatively relaxed about this because it deflected media and the 
Democrats' attention away from TRUMP's business dealings in China and 
other emerging markets. Unlike in Russia, these were substantial and 
involved the payment of large bribes and kickbacks which, were they to 
become public, would be potentially very damaging to their campaign. 

Finally, regarding TRUMP’s claimed minimal investment profile in Russia, 
a separate source with direct knowledge said this had not been for want 
of trying. TRUMP's previous efforts had included exploring the real estate 
sector in St Petersburg as well as Moscow but in the end TRUMP had had 
to settle for the use of extensive sexual services there from local 
prostitutes rather than business success. 


CONFIDENTIAL/SENSITIVE SOURCE 


COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/94 


RUSSIA: SECRET KREMLIN MEETINGS ATTENDED BY TRUMP ADVISOR, 
CARTER PAGE IN MOSCOW (JULY 2016) 


Summary 

- TRUMP advisor Carter PAGE holds secret meetings in Moscow with 
SECHIN and senior Kremlin Internal Affairs official, DIVYEKIN 

- SECHIN raises issues of future bilateral US-Russia energy co-operation 
and associated lifting of western sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. 
PAGE non-committal in response 

- DIVEYKIN discusses release of Russian dossier of ‘kompromat’ on 
TRUMP’s opponent, Hillary CLINTON, but also hints at Kremlin 
possession of such material on TRUMP 


Detail 

1. Speaking in July 2016, a Russian source close to Rosneft President, PUTIN 
close associate and US-sanctioned individual, Igor SECHIN, confided the 
details of a recent secret meeting between him and visiting Foreign 
Affairs Advisor to Republican presidential candidate Donald TRUMP, 

Carter PAGE. 

2. According to SECHIN’s associate, the Rosneft President [CEO) had raised 
with PAGE the issues of future bilateral energy cooperation and 
prospects for an associated move to lift Ukraine-related western 
sanctions against Russia. PAGE had reacted positively to this demarche 
by SECHIN but had been generally non-committal in response. 

3. Speaking separately, also in July 2016, an official close to Presidential 
Administration Head, S. IVANOV, confided in a compatriot that a senior 
colleague in the Internal Political Department of the PA, DIVYEKIN (nfd) 
also had met secretly with PAGE on his recent visit. Their agenda had 
included DIVEYKIN raising a dossier of'kompromat' the Kremlin 
possessed on TRUMP's Democratic presidential rival, Hillary CLINTON, 
and its possible release to the Republican's campaign team. 

4. However, the Kremlin official close to S. IVANOV added that s/he believed 
DIVEYKIN also had hinted (or indicated more strongly) that the Russian 
leadership also had 'kompromat' on TRUMP which the latter should bear 
in mind in his dealings with them. 




19 July 2016 


COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/097 


RUSSIA-US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: KREMLIN CONCERN THAT POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM 
DNC E-MAIL HACKING AFFAIR SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL 


Summary 

Kremlin concerned that political fallout from DNC e-mail hacking operation is spiralling 
out of control. Extreme nervousness among TRUMP's associates as result of negative 
media attention/accusations 

Russians meanwhile keen to cool situation and maintain 'plausible deniability' of 
existing /ongoing pro-TRUMP and anti-CLINTON operations. Therefore unlikely to be 
any ratcheting up offensive plays in immediate future 

Source close to TRUMP campaign however confirms regular exchange with Kremlin 
has existed for at least 8 years, including intelligence fed back to Russia on oligarchs' 
activities in US 

Russians apparently have promised not to use 'kompromat' they hold on TRUMP as 
leverage, given high levels of voluntary co-operation forthcoming from his team 


Detail 

1. Speaking in confidence to a trusted associate in late July 2016, a Russian emigre figure 
close to the Republican US presidential candidate Donald TRUMP's campaign team 
commented on the fallout from publicity surrounding the Democratic National 
Committee (DNC) e-mail hacking scandal. The emigre said there was a high level of 
anxiety within the TRUMP team as a result of various accusations levelled against 
them and indications from the Kremlin that President PUTIN and others in the 
leadership thought things had gone too far now and risked spiralling out of control. 

2. Continuing on this theme, the emigre associate of TRUMP opined that the Kremlin 
wanted the situation to calm but for 'plausible deniability' to be maintained 
concerning its (extensive) pro-TRUMP and anti-CLINTON operations. S/he therefore 
judged that it was unlikely these would be ratcheted up, at least for the time being. 

3. However, in terms of established operational liaison between the TRUMP team and 
the Kremlin, the emigre confirmed that an intelligence exchange had been running 
between them for at least 8 years. Within this context PUTIN'S priority requirement 
had been for intelligence on the activities, business and otherwise, in the US of leading 
Russian oligarchs and their families. TRUMP and his associates duly had obtained and 
supplied the Kremlin with this information. 



4. 


Finally the emigre said s/he understood the Kremlin had more intelligence on 
CLINTON and her campaign but he did not know the details or when or »it wouW be 
released As far as 'kompromat' (compromising information) on TRUM 
concerned, although there was plenty of this, he understood the Kremlin had gi^^ 
word that it would not be deployed against the Republican president^ ^ 

given how helpful and co-operative his team had been over sever y , 
particularly of late. 


30 July 2016 




COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/100 


RUSSIA/USA: GROWING BACKLASH IN KREMLIN TO DNC HACKING AND 
TRUMP SUPPORT OPERATIONS 


Summary 

Head of PA IVANOV laments Russian intervention in US presidential 
election and black PR against CLINTON and the DNC. Vows not to supply 
intelligence to Kremlin PR operatives again. Advocates now sitting tight 
and denying everything 

Presidential spokesman PESKOV the main protagonist in Kremlin 
campaign to aid TRUMP and damage CLINTON. He is now scared and 
fears being made scapegoat by leadership for backlash in US. Problem 
compounded by his botched intervention in recent Turkish crisis 

Premier MEDVEDEV’S office furious over DNC hacking and associated 
anti-Russian publicity. Want good relations with US and ability to travel 
there. Refusing to support or help cover up after PESKOV 

Talk now in Kremlin of TRUMP withdrawing from presidential race 
altogether, but this still largely wishful thinking by more liberal elements 
in Moscow 


Detail 

1. Speaking in early August 2016, two well-placed and established Kremlin 
sources outlined the divisions and backlash in Moscow arising from the 
leaking of Democratic National Committee (DNC) e-mails and the wider 
pro-TRUMP operation being conducted in the US. Head of Presidential 
Administration, Sergei IVANOV, was angry at the recent turn of events. 

He believed the Kremlin "team" involved, led by presidential spokesman 
Dmitriy PESKOV, had gone too far in interfering in foreign affairs with 
their "elephant in a china shop black PR". IVANOV claimed always to have 
opposed the handling and exploitation of intelligence by this PR "team". 
Following the backlash against such foreign interference in US politics, 
IVANOV was advocating that the only sensible course of action now for 
the Russian leadership was to "sit tight and deny everything". 

2. Continuing on this theme the source close to IVANOV reported that 
PESKOV now was "scared shitless" that he would be scapegoated by 
PUTIN and the Kremlin and held responsible for the backlash against 
Russian political interference in the US election. IVANOV was determined 





r 


to stop PESKOV playing an independent role in relation to the US going 
forward and the source fully expected the presidential spokesman now to 
lay low. PESKOV s position was not helped by a botched attempt by him 
also to interfere in the recent failed coup in Turkey from a government 
relations (GR) perspective (no further details]. 

3. The extent of disquiet and division within Moscow caused by the 

backlash against Russian interference in the US election was underlined 
by a second source, close to premier Dmitriy MEDVEDEV (DAM]. S/he 
said the Russian prime minister and his colleagues wanted to have good 
relations with the US, regardless of who was in power there, and not least 
so as to be able to travel there in future, either officially or privately. They 
were openly refusing to cover up for PESKOV and others involved in the 
DNC/TRUMP operations or to support his counter-attack of allegations 
against the USG for its alleged hacking of the Russian government and 
state agencies. 

4. According to the first source, close to IVANOV, there had been talk in the 
Kremlin of TRUMP being forced to withdraw from the presidential race 
altogether as a result of recent events, ostensibly on grounds of his 
psychological state and unsuitability for high office. This might not be so 
bad for Russia in the circumstances but in the view of the source, it 
remained largely wishful thinking on the part of those in the regime 
opposed to PESKOV and his "botched” operations, at least for the time 
being. 


5 August 2016 









COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/101 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: SENIOR KREMLIN FIGURE OUTLINES EVOLVING RUSSIAN TACTICS IN 
PRO-TRUMP, ANTI-CLINTON OPERATION 


Summary 

Head of PA, IVANOV assesses Kremlin intervention in US presidential election and outlines leadership 
thinkingon operational wayforward 

No new leaks envisaged, as too politically risky, but rather further exploitation of (WikiLeaks) material 
already disseminated to exacerbate divisions 

Educated US youth to be targeted as protest(againstCLINTON) and swing vote in attempt to turn them 
over to TRUMP 

Russian leadership, including PUTIN, celebrating perceived success to date in splitting US hawks and 
elite 

Kremlin engaging with several high profile US players, including STEIN, PAGE and (former DlA Director 
Michael Flynn), and funding their recent visits to Moscow 


Details 


1. Speaking in confidence to a close colleague in early August 2016, Head of the Russian Presidential 
Administration (PA), Sergei IVANOV, assessed the impact and results of Kremlin intervention in the US 
presidential election to date. Although most commentators believed that the Kremlin was behind the 
leaked DNC/CLINTON e-mails, this remained technically deniable. Therefore the Russians would not 
risk their position for the time being with new leaked material, even to a third party like WikiLeaks. 
Rather the tactics would be to spread rumours and misinformation about the content of what already 
had been leaked and make up new content. 


2. Continuing on this theme, IVANOV said that the audience to be targeted by such operations was the 
educated youth in America as the PA assessed thatthere was still a chancethey could be persuaded to 
vote for Republican candidate Donald TRUMP as a protest against the Washington establishment (in 
the form of Democratic candidate Hillary CLINTON). The hope was that even if she won, as a resultof 
this CLINTON in power would be bogged down in working for internal reconciliation in the US, rather 
than being ableto focus on foreign policy which would damage Russia's interests.This also should give 
PresidentPUTIN more room for manoeuvre inthe run-upto Russia's own presidential election in 2018. 

3. IVANOV reported that although the Kremlin had underestimated the strength of US media and liberal 
reaction to the DNC hackand TRUMP's links to Russia, PUTIN was generally satisfied with the progress 
of the anti-CLINTON operation to date. He recently had had a drink with PUTIN to markthis. In IVANOV's 
view,the US hadtriedto dividethe Russian elite with sanctions butfailed, whilstthey, by contrast, had 
succeeded in splittingthe US hawks inimical to Russiaand the Washington elite more generally, half of 
whom had refused to endorse any presidential candidateas a resultof Russian intervention. 


4. 


Speaking separately, also in early August 2016, a Kremlin official involved in US relations commented 
on aspects ofthe Russian operation todate. Its goals had been threefold- askingsympathetic USactors 
how Moscow could help them; gathering relevant intelligence; and creating and disseminating 

compromising information('kompromat'). This had involved the Kremlin supporting various US political 

figures including funding indirectly their recent visits to Moscow. S/he named a delegation from 
Lyndon UROUCHE; presidential candidateJill STEIN ofthe Green Party; TRUMP foreign policy adviser 


19 


Carter PAGE; and former DIA Director Michael Flynn, in this regard and as successful in terms of 
perceived outcomes. 


10 August 2016 


COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/102 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: REACTION IN TRUMP CAMP TO RECENT NEGATIVE PUBLICITY ABOUT 
RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE AND LIKELY RESULTING TACTICS GOING FORWARD 


Summary 

TRUMP campaign insider reports recent DNC e-mail leaks were aimed at switching SANDERS (protest) 
voters away from CLINTON and over to TRUMP 

Admits Republican campaign underestimated resulting negative reaction from US liberals, elite and 
media and forced to change course as result 

Need now to turn tables on CLINTON'S use of PUTIN as bogeyman in election, although some 
resentment at Russian president's perceived attempt to undermine USG and system over and above 
swinging presidents I election 


Detail 

1. Speaking in confidence on 9 August 2016, an ethnic Russian associate of Republican US presidential 
candidate Donald TRUMP discussed the reaction inside his camp, and revised tactics therein resulting 
from recent negative publicity concerning Moscow's clandestine involvement in the campaign. 
TRUMP's a ssociate reported that the a i m of I ea ki ng the DNC e-ma i I s to Wi ki Lea ks during the Democratic 
Convention had been to swi ng supporters of Bernie SANDERS awayfrom Hillary CLINTON and across to 
TRUMP. Thesevoters were perceived as activistand anti -status quoand anti-establishment and inthat 
regard sharing many features with the TRUMP campaign, including a visceral dislike of Hillary CLINTON. 
This objective had been conceived and promoted, inter alia, by TRUMP's foreign policy adviser Carter 
PAGE who had discussed itdirectly with the ethnic Russian associate. 

2. Continuing on thistheme, the ethnic Russian associateof TRUMP assessed that the problem wasthat 
the TRUMP campaign had underestimated the strength of the negative reaction from liberals and 
especially the conservative elite to Russian interference. This was forcing a rethink and a likely change 
of tactics. The main objective in the shortterm was to check Democratic candidate Hillary CLINTON'S 
successful exploitation of the PUTIN as bogeyman/Russian interference story to tarnish TRUMP and 
bolster her own (patriotic) credentials.The TRUMP campaign was focusingon tapping into supportin 
the American television media to achievethis, as they reckoned this resource had been underused by 
them to date. 

3. However, TRUMP's associate also admitted that there was a fair amount of anger and resentment 
within the Republican candidate's team at what was perceived by PUTIN as going beyond the objective 
of weakening CLINTON and bolstering TRUMP, by attempting to exploitthe situation to undermine the 
US government and democratic system more generally. It was unclear at present how this aspect of 
the situation would play out in the weeks to come. 


10 August 2016 











COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/136 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: FURTHER DETAILS OF TRUMP LAWYER 
COHEN'S SECRET LIAISON WITH THE KREMLIN 


Summary 

- Kremlin insider reports TRUMP lawyer COHEN's secret meeting/s with Kremlin officials in 
August 2016 was/were held in Prague 

- Russian parastatal organisation Rossotrudnichestvo used as cover for this liaison and premises 
in Czech capital may have been used for the meeting/s 

- Pro-PUTIN leading Duma figure, KOSACHEV, reportedly involved as "plausibly deniable" 
facilitator and may have participated in the August meeting/s with COHEN 

Detail 

1. Speaking to a compatriot and friend on 19 October 2016, a Kremlin insider provided further 
details of reported clandestine meeting/s between Republican presidential candidate, Donald 
TRUMP'S lawyer Michael COHEN and Kremlin representatives in August 2016. Although the 
communication between them had to be cryptic for security reasons, the Kremlin insider 
clearly indicated to his/her friend that the reported contact/s took place in Prague, Czech 
Republic. 

2. Continuing on this theme, the Kremlin insider highlighted the importance of the Russian 
parastatal organisation, Rossotrudnichestvo, in this contact between TRUMP campaign 
representative/s and Kremlin officials. Rossotrudnichestvo was being used as cover for this 
relationship and its office in Prague may well have been used to host the COHEN / Russian 
Presidential Administration (PA) meeting/s. It was considered a "plausibly deniable" vehicle 
for this, whilst remaining entirely under Kremlin control. 

3. The Kremlin insider went on to identify leading pro-PUTIN Duma figure, Konstantin 
KOSACHEV (Head of the Foreign Relations Committee) as an important figure in the TRUMP 
campaign-Kremlin liaison operation. KOSACHEV, also "plausibly deniable" being part of the 
Russian legislature rather than executive, had facilitated the contact in Prague and by 
implication, may have attended the meeting/s with COHEN there in August. 

Company Comment 

We reported previously, in our Company Intelligence Report 2016/135 of 19 October 2016 from the 
same source, that COHEN met officials from the PA Legal Department clandestinely in an EU 
country in August 2016. This was in order to clean up the mess left behind by western media 
revelations of TRUMP ex-campaign manager MANAFORT's corrupt relationship with the former 
pro-Russian YANUKOVYCH regime in Ukraine and TRUMP foreign policy advisor, Carter 
PAGE'S secret meetings in Moscow with senior regime figures in July 2016. According to the 
Kremlin advisor, these meeting/s were originally scheduled for COHEN in Moscow but shifted to 






what was considered an operationally "soft" EU country when it was judged too compromising 
for him to travel to the Russian capital. 

20 October 2016 









COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/105 


RUSSIA/UKRAINE: THE DEMISE OF TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN MANAGER PAUL 
MANAFORT 


Summary 

- Ex-Ukrainian President YANUKOVYCH confides directly to PUTIN that he 
authorised kick-back payments to MANAFORT, as alleged in western 
media. Assures Russian President however there is no documentary 
evidence/trail 

PUTIN and Russian leadership remain worried however and sceptical that 
YANUKOVYCH has fully covered the traces of these payments to TRUMP’s 
former campaign manager 

- Close associate of TRUMP explains reasoning behind MANAFORT's recent 
resignation. Ukraine revelations played part but others wanted 
MANAFORT out for various reasons, especially LEWANDOWSK1 who 
remains influential 


Detail 

1. Speaking in late August 2016, in the immediate aftermath of Paul 
MANAFORT’s resignation as campaign manager for US Republican 
presidential candidate Donald TRUMP, a well-placed Russian figure 
reported on a recent meeting between President PUTIN and ex-President 
YANUKOVYCH of Ukraine. This had been held in secret on 15 August near 
Volgograd, Russia and the western media revelations about MANAFORT 
and Ukraine had featured prominently on the agenda. YANUKOVYCH had 
confided in PUTIN that he did authorise and order substantial kick-back 
payments to MANAFORT as alleged but sought to reassure him that there 
was no documentary trail left behind which could provide clear evidence 
of this. 

2. Given YANUKOVYCH'S (unimpressive) record in covering up his own 
corrupt tracks in the past, PUTIN and others in the Russian leadership 
were sceptical about the ex-Ukrainian president’s reassurances on this as 
relating to MANAFORT. They therefore still feared the scandal had legs, 
especially as MANAFORT had been commercially active in Ukraine right 
up to the time (in March 2016) when he joined TRUMP's campaign team. 
For them it therefore remained a point of potential political vulnerability 
and embarrassment. 




3. Speaking separately, also in late August 2016, an American political 
figure associated with Donald TRUMP and his campaign outlined the 
reasons behind MANAFORT’s recent demise. S/he said it was true that 
the Ukraine corruption revelations had played a part in this but also, 
several senior players close to TRUMP had wanted MANAFORT out, 
primarily to loosen his control on strategy and policy formulation. Of 
particular importance in this regard was MANAFORT's predecessor as 
campaign manager, Corey LEWANDOWSKI, who hated MANAFORT 
personally and remained close to TRUMP with whom he discussed the 
presidential campaign on a regular basis. 


22 August 2016 





COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/111 


RUSSIA/US: KREMLIN FALLOUT FROM MEDIA EXPOSURE OF MOSCOW’S 
INTERFERENCE IN THE US PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN 


Summary 


Kremlin orders senior staff to remain silent in media and private on 
allegations of Russian interference in US presidential campaign 


Senior figure however confirms gist of allegations and repo^ IVANOV 
sacked as Head of Administration on account of giving PUTIN poor advice 
on issue. VAINO selected as his replacement partly because he was no 
involved in pro-TRUMP, anti-CLINTON operation/s 


Russians do have further 'kompromat' on CLINTON (e-mails) and 
considering disseminating it after Duma (legislative elections) in a e 
September. Presidential spokesman PESKOV continues to lead on this 


However, equally important is Kremlin objective to shift policy consensus 
favourably to Russia in US post-OBAMA whoever wins. Both presidential 
candidates’ opposition to TPP and TTIP viewed as a result in this respect 


- Senior Russian diplomat withdrawn from Washington embassy on 
account of potential exposure in US presidential election operation/s 


Detail 

1. Speaking in confidence to a trusted compatriot in mid-September 2016, a 
senior member of the Russian Presidential Administration (PA) 
commented on the political fallout from recent western media 
revelations about Moscow's intervention, in favour of Donald TRUMP and 
against Hillary CLINTON, in the US presidential election. The PA official 
reported that the issue had become incredibly sensitive and that 
President PUTIN had issued direct orders that Kremlin and government 
insiders should not discuss it in public or even in private. 

2. Despite this, the PA official confirmed, from direct knowledge, that the 
gist of the allegations was true. PUTIN had been receiving conflicting 
advice on interfering from three separate and expert groups. On one side 
had been the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergei K1SLYAK, and the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with an independent and informal 
network run by presidential foreign policy advisor, Yuri USHAKOV 






(KISLYAK’s predecessor in Washington) who had urged caution and the 
potential negative impact on Russia from the operation/s. On the other 
side was former PA Head, Sergei IVANOV, backed by Russian Foreign 
Intelligence (SVR), who had advised PUTIN that the pro-TRUMP, anti- 
CLINTON operation/s would be both effective and plausibly deniable 
with little blowback. The first group/s had been proven right and this had 
been the catalyst in PUTIN'S decision to sack IVANOV (unexpectedly) as 
PA Head in August. His successor, Anton VAINO, had been selected for the 
job partly because he had not been involved in the US presidential 
election operation/s. 


3. Continuing on this theme, the senior PA official said the situation now 
was that the Kremlin had further ‘kompromat’ on candidate CLINTON 
and had been considering releasing this via “plausibly deniable” channels 
after the Duma (legislative) elections were out of the way in mid- 
September. There was however a growing train of thought and associated 
lobby, arguing that the Russians could still make candidate CLINTON look 
"weak and stupid” by provoking her into railing against PUTIN and 
Russia without the need to release more of her e-mails. Presidential 
Spokesman, Dmitriy PESKOV remained a key figure in the operation, 
although any final decision on dissemination of further material would be 
taken by PUTIN himself. 


4. 


The senior PA official also reported that a growing element in Moscow s 
intervention in the US presidential election campaign was the objective of 
shifting the US political consensus in Russia’s perceived interests 
regardless of who won. It basically comprised of pushing candidate 
CLINTON away from President OBAMA’s policies. The best example of 
this was that both candidates now openly opposed the draft trade 
agreements, TPP and TTIP, which were assessed by Moscow as 
detrimental to Russian interests. Other issues where the Kremlin was 
looking to shift the US policy consensus were Ukraine and Syria. Overall 
however, the presidential election was considered still to be too close to 
call. 


5. Finally, speaking separately to the same compatriot, a senior Russian 
MFA official reported that as a prophylactic measure, a leading Russian 
diplomat, Mikhail KULAGIN, had been withdrawn from Washington at 
short notice because Moscow feared his heavy involvement in the US 
presidential election operation, including the so-called veterans' pensions 
ruse (reported previously), would be exposed in the media there. His 
replacement, Andrei BONDAREV however was clean in this regard. 





Company Comment 


The substance of what was reported by the senior Russian PA official in paras 1 
and 2 above, including the reasons for Sergei IVANOV’s dismissal, was 
corroborated independently by a former top level Russian intelligence officer 
and Kremlin insider, also in mid-September. 


14 September 2016 







COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/112 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: KREMLIN-ALPHA GROUP CO¬ 
OPERATION 


Summary 

- Top level Russian official confirms current closeness of Alpha Group- 
PUT1N relationship. Significant favours continue to be done in both 
directions and FRIDMAN and AVEN still giving informal advice to PUTIN, 
especially on the US 

Key intermediary in PUTIN-Alpha relationship identified as Oleg 
GOVORUN, currently Head of a Presidential Administration department 
but throughout the 1990s, the Alpha executive who delivered illicit cash 
directly to PUTIN 

PUTIN personally unbothered about Alpha’s current lack of investment in 
Russia but under pressure from colleagues over this and able to exploit it 
as lever over Alpha interlocutors 


Detail 

1. Speaking to a trusted compatriot in mid-September 2016, a top level 
Russian government official commented on the history and current state 
of relations between President PUTIN and the Alpha Group of businesses 
led by oligarchs Mikhail FRIDMAN, Petr AVEN and German KHAN. The 
Russian government figure reported that although they had had their ups 
and downs, the leading figures in Alpha currently were on very good 
terms with PUTIN. Significant favours continued to be done in both 
directions, primarily political ones for PUTIN and business/legal ones for 
Alpha. Also, FRIDMAN and AVEN continued to give informal advice to 
PUTIN on foreign policy, and especially about the US where he distrusted 
advice being given to him by officials. 

2. Although FRIDMAN recently had met directly with PUTIN in Russia, much 
of the dialogue and business between them was mediated through a 
senior Presidential Administration official, Oleg GOVORUN, who currently 
headed the department therein responsible for Social Co-operation With 
the CIS. GOVORUN was trusted by PUTIN and recently had accompanied 
him to Uzbekistan to pay respects at the tomb of former president 
KARIMOV. However according to the top level Russian government 
official, during the 1990s GOVORUN had been Head of Government 
Relations at Alpha Group and in reality, the "driver” and "bag carrier” 







used by FRIDMAN and AVEN to deliver large amounts of illicit cash to the 
Russian president, at that time deputy Mayor of St Petersburg. Given that 
and the continuing sensitivity of the PUTIN-Alpha relationship, and need 
for plausible deniability, much of the contact between them was now 
indirect and entrusted to the relatively low profile GOVORUN. 

3. The top level Russian government official described the PUTIN-Alpha 
relationship as both carrot and stick. Alpha held ‘kompromat’ on PUTIN 
and his corrupt business activities from the 1990s whilst although not 
personally overly bothered by Alpha’s failure to reinvest the proceeds of 
its TNK oil company sale into the Russian economy since, the Russian 
president was able to use pressure on this count from senior Kremlin 
colleagues as a lever on FRIDMAN and AVEN to make them do his 
political bidding. 


14 September 2016 








COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/113 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION- REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TRUMP’S 
PRIOR ACTIVITIES IN ST PETERSBURG 


Summary 

Two knowledgeable St Petersburg sources claim Republican candidate 
TRUMP has paid bribes and engaged in sexual activities there but key 
witnesses silenced and evidence hard to obtain 

- Both believe Azeri business associate of TRUMP, Araz AGALAROV will 
know the details 


Detail 

1. Speaking to a trusted compatriot in September 2016, two well-placed 
sources based in St Petersburg, one in the political/business elite and the 
other involved in the local services and tourist industry, commented on 
Republican US presidential candidate Donald TRUMP’s prior activities in 
the city. 

2. Both knew TRUMP had visited St Petersburg on several occasions in the 
past and had been interested in doing business deals there involving real 
estate. The local business/political elite figure reported that TRUMP had 
paid bribes there to further his interests but very discreetly and only 
through affiliated companies, making it very hard to prove. The local 
services industry source reported that TRUMP had participated in sex 
parties in the city too, but that all direct witnesses to this recently had 
been "silenced" i.e. bribed or coerced to disappear. 

3. The two St Petersburg figures cited believed an Azeri business figure, 
Araz AGALAROV (with offices in Baku and London) had been closely 
involved with TRUMP in Russia and would know most of the details of 
what the Republican presidential candidate had got up to there. 


14 September 2016 






COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/130 


RUSSIA: KREMLIN ASSESSMENT OF TRUMP AND RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN US 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 


Summary 

Buyer's remorse sets In with Kremlin over TRUMP support operation In US presidential 
election. Russian leadership disappointed that leaked e-mails on CLINTON have not had 
greater impact in campaign 

Russians have Injected further antt-CLINTON material into Ihe ‘plausibly deniable' leaks 
pipeline which will continue to surface, hut best material already In public domain 

PUTIN angry with senior officials who “overpromised 1 ' on TRUMP and lurther heads likely to 
roll as result. Foreign Minister LAVROV may be next 

TRUMP supported by Kremlm because seen as divisive, anti-establishment candidate who 
would shake up current International status quo In Russia's favor. Lead on TRUMP operation 
moved from Foreign Ministry to FSB and then to presidential administration where it now sits 


Detail 

1. Speaking separately in confidence to a trusted compatriot in early October 2016, a senior 
Russian leadership figure and a Foreign Ministry official reported on recent developments 
concernmg the Kremlin's operation to support Republican candidate Donatd TRUMP in the 
US presidential election. The senior leadership figure said that a degree of buyer's remorse 
was setting in among Russian leaders concerning TRUMP. PUTIN and his colleagues were 
surprised and disappointed that leaks of Democratic candidate, Hillary CLINTON'S hacked 
e-mails had not had greater impact on the campaign. 

2. Continuing on this theme, the senior leadership figure commented that a stream of further 
hacked CLINTON material already had been injected by the Kremlin Into compliant western 
media outlets like Wiki leaks, which remained at least “plausibly deniable 4 , so the stream of 
these would continue through October and up to the etection. However s/he understood that 
the best material the Russians had already was out and there were no real game-changers 
to come. 

3. The Russian Foreign Ministry official, who had direct access to the TRUMP support 
operation, reported that PUTIN was angry at his subordinate's “over-promising’' on the 
Republican presidential candidate, both in terms of hts chances and reliability and being 
able to cover anchor contain the US backlash over Kremlin interference. More heads 
therefore were likely to roll, with the MFA the easiest target. Ironically, despite his consistent 
urging of caution on the Issue, Foreign Minister LAVROV could be the next one to go. 

4. Asked to explain why PUTIN and the Kremlin had launched such an aggressive TRUMP 
support operation In the first place, the MFA official said that Russia needed to upset the 
liberal International status quo, including on Ukraine-related sanctions, which was seriously 


2 * 




disadvantaging the country. TRUMP was viewed as divisive in disrupting the whole US 
political system; anti-Establishment; and a pragmatist with whom they could do business. As 
the TRUMP support operation had gained momentum, control of it had passed from the mha 
to the FSB and then into the presidential administration where It remained, a reflection of its 
growing significance over time. There was still a view In the Kremlin that TRUMP would 
continue as a (divisive) political force even If he lost the presidency and may run for and be 
elected to another public ollice. 


12 October 2016 








COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/134 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: FURTHER DETAILS OF KREMLIN LIAISON WITH 
TRUMP CAMPAIGN 


Summary 

■ Close associate of SECHIN confirms his secret meeting in Moscow with Carter FACE in July 

- Substance included offer of large stake in Rosneft in return for lifting sanctions on Russia. PACE 
confirms this is TRUMP's intention 

- SECHIN continued to think. TRUMP could win presidency up to 17 October. Now looking to 

reorientate his engagement with the US 

■ Kremlin insider highlights importance of TRUMP's lawyer, Michael COHEN in covert 

relationship with Russia. COHEN's wife is of Russian descent and her father a leading property 
developer in Moscow 


Detail 

T Speaking to a trusted compatriot in mid October 2016, a dose associate of Rosneft President 
and PUTIN ally Igor" SECHIN elaborated on the reported secret meeting between the tatter 
and Carter PAGE, of L T S Republican presidential candidate's foreign policy team, in Moscow in 
July 2016, The secret meeting had been confirmed to him/her by a senior member of SECHIN's 
staff, in addition to by the Rosneft President himself. It took place on either 7 or 8 July, the same 
day or the one after Carter PAGE made a public speech to the Higher Economic School in 
Moscow. 

2. In terms of the substance of their discussion/ SECHIN's assoriate said that the Rosneft 
President was so keen to lift personal and corporate western sanctions imposed on the 
company, that he offered PAGE/TRUMPs associates the brokerage of up to a 19 per cent 
(privatised) stake in Rosneft in return, PAGE had expressed interest and confirmed that were 
TRUMP elected US president, then sanctions on Russia would be lifted, 

3. According to SECHIN's dose associate, the Rosneft President had continued to believe that 
TRUMP could win the US presidency right up to 17 October/ when he assessed this was no 
longer possible, SECHIN was keen to re-adapt accordingly and put feelers out to other 
business and political contacts in the US instead, 

4. Speaking separately to the same compatriot in mid-October 2016, a Kremlin insider with direct 
access to the leadership confirmed that a key role in the secret TRUMP campaign / Kremlin 
relations hip was being played by the Republican candidat e's personal lawyer Michael 






Source Comment 


5, SECHIN's associate opined that although PAGE had not stated it explicitly to SECHIN, he had 
dearly implied that in terms of his comment on TRUMP's intention to lift Russian sanctions if 
elected president, he was speaking with the Republican candidate's authority. 


Company Comment 



18 October 2016 





COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/135 


RUSSIA/US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF TRUMP 
LAWYER, COHEN IN CAMPAIGN'S SECRET LIAISON WITH THE KREMLIN 


Summary 

- Kremlin insider outlines important role played by TRUMP's lawyer 
COHEN in secret liaison with Russian leadership 

- COHEN engaged with Russians in trying to cover up scandal of 
MANAFORT and exposure of PAGE and meets Kremlin officials secretly in 
the EU in August in pursuit of this goal 

These secret contacts continue but are now farmed out to trusted agents 
in Kremlin-linked institutes so as to remain "plausibly deniable for 
Russian regime 

Further confirmation that sacking of IVANOV and appointments of VA1N0 
and KIR1YENKO linked to need to cover up Kremlin’s TRUMP support 
operation 


Detail 

1. Speaking in confidence to a longstanding compatriot friend in mid- 
October 2016, a Kremlin insider highlighted the importance of 
Republican presidential candidate Donald TRUMP's lawyer, Michael 
COHEN, in the ongoing secret liaison relationship between the New York 
tycoon’s campaign and the Russian leadership. COHEN’s role had grown 
following the departure of Paul MANNAFORT as TRUMP’s campaign 
manager in August 2016. Prior to that MANNAFORT had led for the 
TRUMP side. 

2. According to the Kremlin insider, COHEN now was heavily engaged in a 
cover up and damage limitation operation in the attempt to prevent the 
full details of TRUMP’s relationship with Russia being exposed. In 
pursuit of this aim, COHEN had met secretly with several Russian 
Presidential Administration (PA) Legal Department officials in an EU 
country in August 2016. The immediate issues had been to contain 
further scandals involving MANNAFORT's commercial and political role 
in Russia/Ukraine and to limit the damage arising from exposure of 
former TRUMP foreign policy advisor, Carter PAGE’S secret meetings 
with Russian leadership figures in Moscow the previous month. The 




overall objective had been to “to sweep it all under the carpet and make 
sure no connections could be fully established or proven" 

3. Things had become even “hotter" since August on the TRUMP-Russia 
track. According to the Kremlin insider, this had meant that direct contact 
between the TRUMP team and Russia had been farmed out by the 
Kremlin to trusted agents of influence working in pro-government policy 
institutes like that of Law and Comparative Jurisprudence. COHEN 
however continued to lead for the TRUMP team. 

4. Referring back to the (surprise) sacking of Sergei IVANOV as Head of PA 
in August 2016, his replacement by Anton VAINO and the appointment o 
former Russian premier Sergei KIRIYENKO to another senior position in 
the PA, the Kremlin insider repeated that this had been directly 
connected to the TRUMP support operation and the need to cover up now 
that it was being exposed by the USG and in the western media. 


Company Comment 

The Kremlin insider was unsure of the identities of the PA officials with whom 
COHEN met secretly in August, or the exact date/s and locations of the 
meeting/s. There were significant internal security barriers being erected in the 
PA as the TRUMP issue became more controversial and damaging. However s/he 
continued to try to obtain these. 


19 October 2016 




COMPANY INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016/166 


US/RUSSIA: FURTHER DETAILS OF SECRET DIALOGUE BETWEEN TRUMP 
CAMPAIGN TEAM, KREMLIN AND ASSOCIATED HACKERS IN PRAGUE 


Summary 

- TRUMP’s representative COHEN accompanied to Prague in 

August/September 2016 by 3 colleagues for secret discussions with 
Kremlin representatives and associated operators/hackers 

Agenda included how to process deniable cash payments to operatives; 
contingency plans for covering up operations; and action in event of a 
CLINTON election victory 

Some further details of Russian representatives/operatives involved; 
Romanian hackers employed; and use of Bulgaria as bolthole to "lie low" 

- Anti-CLINTON hackers and other operatives paid by both TRUMP team 
and Kremlin, but with ultimate loyalty to Head of PA, IVANOV and his 
successor/s 


Detail 

1. We reported previously (2016/135 and /136) on secret meeting/s held 
in Prague, Czech Republic in August 2016 between then Republican 
presidential candidate Donald TRUMP's representative, Michael COHEN 
and his interlocutors from the Kremlin working under cover of Russian 
'NGO' Rossotrudnichestvo. 


CL/NTON/Democratic Party operations. COHEN had been accompanied 
to Prague by 3 colleagues and the timing of the visit was either in the last 
week of August or the first week of September. One of their main Russian 
interlocutors was Oleg SOLODUKHIN operating under 
Rossotrudnichestvo cover. According the agenda 

comprised questions on how deniable cash payments were to be made to 
hackers who had worked in Europe under Kremlin direction against the 
CLINTON campaign and various contingencies for covering up these 
operations and Moscow's secret liaison with the TRUMP team more 
generally. 



provided further details of these meeting/s and associated anti- 







3. aver rhe period MarcIvSepfember 2016 

^cmpan^alled^^^^^^Mand its affiliates had been using botnets 
and porn traffic to transmit viruses, plant bugs, steal data and conduct 
"altering operatjons*^gamsUhe Democratic Party leadership. Entities 
Linked to involved and hean^mother 

hackjn^xpert, both recruited under duress by the FSB,^^H 
■■■■Mwere significant players in this operation, In Prague, 
COHEN agreed contingency plans for various scenarios to protect the 
operation, but in particular what was to be done in the event that Hillary 
CLINTON won the presidency. It was important in this event that ad cash 
payments owed were made quickly and discreetly and that cyher and 
other operators were stood down/a hie to go effectively to ground to 
cover their traces. (We reported earlier that the involvement of political 
Operatives Paul MAN A FORT and Carter PAGE in the secret TRUMP- 
Kremlin liaison had been exposed in the media in the run-up to Prague 
and that damage limitation of these also was discussed by COHEN with 
the Kremlin representatives). 

4. In terms of practical measures to be taken. It was agreed by the two sides 
in Prague to stand down various "Romanian hackers" (presumably based 
in their homeland or neighbouring eastern Europe) and that other 
operatives should head fur a bolt-hole in Plovdiv, Bulgaria where they 
should “lay low". On payments, IVANOV'S associate said that the 
operatives involved had been paid by both TRUMP'S team and the 
Kremlin, though their orders and ultimate loyalty lay with IVANOV, as 
Head of the PA and thus ultimately responsible for the operation, and his 
designated successor/s after he was dismissed by president PUTIN in 
connection with iheanti-CLINTON operation in mid August, 


13 December 2016