Rudy Giuliani
Rudy GiulianiOvernight Defense: Trump's Syria envoy wasn't consulted on withdrawal | McConnell offers resolution urging Trump to rethink Syria | Diplomat says Ukraine aid was tied to political investigations Democrats say they have game changer on impeachment READ: Diplomat describes pressure put on Ukraine to open 'investigations' MORE, President Trump
Donald John TrumpGraham to introduce resolution condemning House impeachment inquiry Support for impeachment inches up in poll Fox News's Bret Baier calls Trump's attacks on media 'a problem' MORE’s personal lawyer, appeared to back out of a conference in Armenia sponsored by the Kremlin that will include appearances by Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinOvernight Defense: Trump's Syria envoy wasn't consulted on withdrawal | McConnell offers resolution urging Trump to rethink Syria | Diplomat says Ukraine aid was tied to political investigations Trump's Syria envoy says he wasn't consulted on troop withdrawal Former Russian Olympic Games official arrested by ICE in Florida MORE and other Russian officials.
Giuliani told reporters at The New York Times and CNN that he will not participate in the event after a story from The Washington Post reported his involvement.
GIULIANI texts me, "Not going," when asked about the Washington Post report about his planned appearance at a reportedly Kremlin-linked event for a speech.
— Maggie HabermanMaggie Lindsy HabermanThe Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by Nareit — Buttigieg closes in on Biden, Warren in Iowa The Hill's 12:30 Report: Video depicting Trump killing media, critics draws backlash The Hill's 12:30 Report — Presented by USAA — Trump sparks firestorm over Syria MORE (@maggieNYT) September 27, 2019
New: @RudyGiuliani just told me he is no longer going to the conference in Armenia - one which Putin may attend, per Washington Post
— Dana BashDana BashCNN faces backlash for video highlighting white congresswomen as impeachment leaders Giuliani pulls out of event featuring Putin: reports Sanders, Yang to miss CNN's town hall on LGBTQ issues MORE (@DanaBashCNN) September 27, 2019
According to a schedule for the event, Giuliani was slated to participate in a panel led by Sergey Glazyev, a Putin associate who is under U.S. sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The agenda shows that Giuliani would have been the only American scheduled to speak at the conference.
Giuliani’s appearance at the conference would have come days after the release of a whistleblower complaint saying Giuliani helped Trump pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenSupport for impeachment inches up in poll Overnight Defense: Trump's Syria envoy wasn't consulted on withdrawal | McConnell offers resolution urging Trump to rethink Syria | Diplomat says Ukraine aid was tied to political investigations Democrats say they have game changer on impeachment MORE, one of the president’s chief political rivals.
Giuliani, who participated in the event last year, confirmed to the Post earlier Friday that he planned on participating in the panel at the conference organized by Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade alliance Putin launched in 2014 to counterbalance the European Union.
The former New York City mayor angrily dismissed questions from the Post about whether it was appropriate for him to participate in the event.
“I will try to not knowingly talk to a Russian until it is all over,” he said.
Giuliani would be paid for his appearance but noted that any payment “goes to my company.”
Current and former White House aides expressed frustration to the Post over Giuliani’s behavior and that he does not clear his media appearances or paid speeches with the administration. National security experts also expressed concern that Giuliani’s appearance at next week’s conference could provide a boost to a top EU rival.
“It’s terrible judgement for the president’s lawyer to attend this meeting,” David Kramer, a former State Department official under President George W. Bush who oversaw Russia and Ukraine policy, told the Post. “He is lending credibility to an organization Putin set up as an alternative to the European Union. … This will further confuse people on top of the havoc he has already created for Ukraine.”
“I can’t remember anything like this,” added Michael McFaul, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia in the Obama administration.
