Trump ballroom overseer undertook quiet Russia mission for Kremlin talks
Rodney Mims Cook Jr., the U.S. official overseeing the controversial White House ballroom expansion under President Donald Trump, met Kremlin representatives in Russia this summer as part of a quiet diplomatic mission, the Financial Times reported.
U.S. official Rodney Mims Cook Jr. traveled to Russia in June to meet Kremlin representatives at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to the Financial Times. Cook, who oversaw the controversial White House ballroom expansion under President Trump, described the trip as a "cultural visit." He was accompanied by senior Putin aide Anton Kobyakov.
Cook received a detailed briefing before attending the forum. On the forum's opening day, he witnessed a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian oil refinery while walking with a friend to breakfast at the Winter Palace, stating "Too close to feel safe." Cook declined to discuss his meetings with Russian officials or whether Trump had asked him to continue the contacts.
White House spokespersons mentioned the U.S. continued to play a constructive role in engaging both sides to end the war, and Trump remained optimistic about reaching a peace agreement.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
