A complex web of diplomatic maneuvers and private communications has emerged surrounding Joe Biden's vice presidential involvement in Ukraine's energy crisis.
According to Just the News, while publicly advocating for sanctions against Russia following its 2014 invasion of Ukraine, Biden quietly facilitated the restoration of Russian gas flow to Ukraine, coinciding with his son Hunter's business interests at Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings.
Recently released emails from Biden's private account, using the alias RobinWare456@gmail.com, show his crucial intervention in securing a Russia-Ukraine gas deal in October 2014, despite the Obama administration's public stance against Russian energy dependence.
Deputy National Security Advisor Jeffrey Prescott confirmed Biden's pivotal role in an email dated October 30, 2014. The communication revealed that Biden's intervention came at a "critical moment" in negotiations, though Germany and Angela Merkel publicly received credit for the deal.
State Department energy advisor Amos Hochstein played a significant role in finalizing the agreement. Hochstein would later have multiple interactions with Hunter Biden regarding Burisma and Ukraine-related matters.
The timing of these diplomatic moves aligned with Hunter Biden's position on Burisma's board, where internal communications showed concern about potential price spikes without Russian gas supply.
In an April 2014 email to his business partner Devon Archer, Hunter Biden wrote:
There is no immediate supplier solution to replace [Russia]. Even if Burisma were to increase output from its reserves by 100%...[Ukraine] would still be about 35% short of their needed gas supplies.
The younger Biden recognized that Burisma could face public backlash if perceived as profiting from Russian-induced price increases. This concern emerged while the company was already under investigation by Ukrainian authorities.
Biden's law firm, Boies Schiller & Flexner, developed an extensive strategy to pressure Washington officials to influence Ukraine in dropping the probe into Burisma's founder Mykola Zlochevsky.
Throughout summer and fall 2014, Hunter Biden and his associates closely monitored the gas export situation and sanctions developments. They worked with Burisma's Washington lobbyist David Leiter, who maintained communication with U.S. officials about Ukrainian legislation affecting private gas producers.
The lobbying effort included meetings with former State Department officials and a detailed analysis of Ukraine's political situation. These activities aligned with Boies Schiller & Flexner's 58-page plan to influence key State Department officials.
Devon Archer recently commented on Burisma's motivations, stating that the company "would do just about anything to survive," including appointing the vice president's son to its board.
The 2014 gas agreement represented a significant shift in the Obama administration's approach to Russian energy exports. Despite public rhetoric about reducing Ukraine's energy dependence on Russia, practical considerations led to a more nuanced policy. President Obama acknowledged this reality during a press conference with Chancellor Merkel, noting that energy flows between Russia and Europe had continued even during the Cold War. The administration ultimately tailored sanctions to avoid completely cutting off Russian gas exports.
