The European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECMU): A Nexus of Politics, Lobbying, and Financial Intrigue That Stage the Stage for the Energy Cartel Coup.

 The European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECMU) has been a focal point of political intrigue, lobbying efforts, and financial transactions that have drawn significant attention from both sides of the Atlantic. Established as a non-profit organization based in Brussels, the ECMU was ostensibly created to promote Ukraine's integration into the European Union. However, its activities have been scrutinized for their connections to high-profile political figures, lobbying firms, and controversial financial dealings. This article delves into the key players involved, the organizations connected to the ECMU, the financial transactions surrounding its operations, and the broader implications of its activities.

Key Individuals Involved

1. Paul Manafort: A prominent political consultant and lobbyist, Manafort played a pivotal role in the ECMU's operations. He was deeply involved in Ukrainian politics, serving as an advisor to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort's connections to the ECMU have been a subject of intense scrutiny, particularly in relation to his work with the Podesta Group.
2. Viktor Yanukovych: The former President of Ukraine, Yanukovych's administration was closely linked to the ECMU. His pro-Russian policies and subsequent ousting during the Euromaidan protests in 2014 have made his association with the ECMU a contentious issue.
3. Tony Podesta: Co-founder of the Podesta Group, Tony Podesta's lobbying firm was hired by the ECMU to represent its interests in the United States. The Podesta Group's work for the ECMU has raised questions about the nature of its lobbying activities and its connections to Paul Manafort.
4. Rick Gates: A longtime business associate of Paul Manafort, Gates was also involved in the ECMU's operations. His role in facilitating financial transactions and coordinating lobbying efforts has been a key focus of investigations.
5. Alexandra Chalupa: A Democratic National Committee (DNC) consultant, Chalupa has been linked to efforts to investigate Paul Manafort's ties to the ECMU and Ukrainian politics. Her work has been cited in discussions about the intersection of Ukrainian politics and U.S. domestic affairs.
6. Serhiy Leshchenko: A Ukrainian parliamentarian, Leshchenko claimed to have damaging information about Manafort's financial dealings with Yanukovych. His communications were part of the trove of text messages leaked from Andrea Manafort Shand's phone.
7. Serhiy Tulub: An associate of Yanukovych, Tulub was mentioned in the leaked texts as having had a supposed meeting with Donald Trump, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.

Organizations Involved

1. Podesta Group: A prominent lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., the Podesta Group was hired by the ECMU to advocate for its interests in the United States. The firm's work for the ECMU has been scrutinized for its connections to Paul Manafort and its role in shaping U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
2. Mercury Public Affairs: Another lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, was also engaged by the ECMU. The firm's involvement has been part of the broader examination of the ECMU's lobbying efforts in the U.S.
3. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom: A prestigious law firm, Skadden was involved in producing a report on the trial of Yulia Tymoshenko, a political opponent of Yanukovych. The report was used to justify the Ukrainian government's actions, and the firm's involvement has been linked to the ECMU's broader strategy.
4. DLA Piper: A global law firm, DLA Piper was also engaged by the ECMU. The firm's role in facilitating the ECMU's activities has been part of the broader investigation into the organization's operations.

Funding and Financial Transactions

The ECMU's funding and financial transactions have been a source of significant controversy. The organization received substantial financial support from Ukrainian oligarchs and business interests aligned with Viktor Yanukovych. These funds were used to finance lobbying efforts in the United States and Europe, aimed at promoting Yanukovych's government and its policies.

1. Oligarch Funding: Ukrainian oligarchs, including Rinat Akhmetov and Dmytro Firtash, were key financiers of the ECMU. Their contributions were channeled through various intermediaries to support the organization's activities.
2. Lobbying Expenditures: A significant portion of the ECMU's funds was allocated to lobbying firms in the U.S., including the Podesta Group and Mercury Public Affairs. These firms were tasked with shaping U.S. policy towards Ukraine and promoting Yanukovych's government.
3. Financial Transactions: The flow of money from Ukrainian oligarchs to the ECMU, and subsequently to U.S. lobbying firms, has been a focus of investigations. The use of offshore accounts and shell companies to obscure the origins and destinations of these funds has raised questions about the transparency and legality of these transactions.

Mueller's Visit with Yanukovych

Robert Mueller, the former Special Counsel who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has a notable connection to the ECMU through his interactions with Viktor Yanukovych. In 2009, while serving as the Director of the FBI, Mueller visited Ukraine and met with Yanukovych, who was then the Prime Minister. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, particularly in combating corruption and organized crime.

However, this meeting has taken on new significance in light of subsequent events, including Yanukovych's presidency, his pro-Russian policies, and his eventual ousting. The meeting has been cited as part of the broader context of U.S.-Ukraine relations and the complex web of political and financial ties that have come under scrutiny.

Podesta Group's Connections to Paul Manafort

The Podesta Group's connections to Paul Manafort have been a central focus of investigations into the ECMU. Manafort, who served as a key advisor to Yanukovych, played a crucial role in orchestrating the ECMU's lobbying efforts in the U.S. The Podesta Group, co-founded by Tony Podesta, was hired by the ECMU to represent its interests in Washington, D.C.

1. Lobbying Efforts: The Podesta Group's work for the ECMU involved lobbying U.S. officials and promoting Yanukovych's government. This included efforts to shape U.S. policy towards Ukraine and to counter negative perceptions of Yanukovych's administration.
2. Financial Ties: The financial ties between the Podesta Group and the ECMU have been scrutinized, particularly in relation to the flow of funds from Ukrainian oligarchs to U.S. lobbying firms. The use of offshore accounts and intermediaries to facilitate these transactions has raised questions about the transparency and legality of the arrangements.
3. Legal and Ethical Questions: The Podesta Group's involvement with the ECMU has raised legal and ethical questions, particularly in light of the broader investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The firm's connections to Paul Manafort and its role in promoting Yanukovych's government have been part of the broader examination of foreign influence in U.S. politics.

The Hack and Leak of Andrea Manafort Shand's Texts

In a dramatic turn of events, hackers managed to guess Paul Manafort's password, which was "bond007," and accessed his daughter Andrea Manafort Shand's phone. This breach led to the publication of around 300,000 of her text messages on the dark web. These messages revealed Manafort's email address and suggested that his influence within Donald Trump's campaign was greater than publicly acknowledged.

1. Content of the Texts: The leaked texts included communications from Ukrainian parliamentarian Serhiy Leshchenko, who claimed to have damaging information about Manafort's financial dealings with Yanukovych. Leshchenko also mentioned a supposed meeting between Trump and Yanukovych's associate, Serhiy Tulub. Manafort confirmed the authenticity of these texts, adding credibility to the leaked information.
2. Family Concerns: The texts also revealed that Manafort's family had significant concerns about his work in Ukraine. They referred to the money he earned as "blood money" due to its association with Yanukovych's regime. The family discussed the ethical implications and potential legal issues surrounding his activities, highlighting the moral quandaries and risks involved in Manafort's dealings.

Conclusion

The European Centre for a Modern Ukraine (ECMU) represents a complex web of political, financial, and lobbying activities that have drawn significant attention from investigators and the public alike. The involvement of key figures such as Paul Manafort, Viktor Yanukovych, and Tony Podesta, along with organizations like the Podesta Group and Mercury Public Affairs, highlights the intricate connections between Ukrainian politics and U.S. lobbying efforts.

The funding and financial transactions surrounding the ECMU have raised serious questions about the transparency and legality of these activities. The flow of money from Ukrainian oligarchs to U.S. lobbying firms, facilitated through offshore accounts and intermediaries, underscores the challenges of regulating foreign influence in domestic politics.

Robert Mueller's visit with Yanukovych and the Podesta Group's connections to Paul Manafort further illustrate the deep ties between U.S. and Ukrainian political actors. The hack and subsequent leak of Andrea Manafort Shand's texts have added another layer of complexity to the narrative, revealing internal family concerns and providing new insights into Manafort's influence and activities.

As investigations continue, the full extent of these connections and their implications for U.S. democracy remain to be seen. The ECMU serves as a case study in the complexities of modern political lobbying, the challenges of regulating foreign influence, and the ongoing tensions between transparency and secrecy in the world of international politics.