Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast John Helmer: Attempts to Russiagate the Epstein Files
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Feb 17, 2026 John Helmer, long-serving Western journalist in Moscow known for investigative work on Russian politics, examines the Epstein files and the attempts to pin them on Russia. He discusses Epstein’s failed outreach to Putin and oligarchs. Conversations cover elite secrecy, financial schemes, influence-peddling, and how Russiagate narratives can distract from broader imperial financial networks.
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Epstein's Russia Efforts Were Largely Failures
- John Helmer argues Epstein's reported Russian ties are largely failures and misread emails inflated by media.
- Epstein repeatedly tried and failed to secure meaningful meetings with Putin or major Russian oligarchs.
Oligarchs Saw No Value In Epstein's Pitch
- Helmer details Epstein's approaches: intermediaries, economic forums, and offers of one-on-one meetings with Putin.
- Russian elites declined because Epstein offered nothing new beyond common money-laundering schemes.
Vitaly Churkin's Personal Contact With Epstein
- John Helmer recounts Vitaly Churkin meeting Epstein multiple times in Manhattan and accepting a favor for his son.
- Churkin asked Epstein to help find his son Maxim a job and Epstein arranged it, per the email record.