Kushner's Ukraine Demands Show How Oligarchy Shapes U.S. Foreign Policy
The excerpt reveals that in November 2025, Jared Kushner presented Ukrainian President Zelensky with a list of demands, approved by the U.S. president, that would limit Ukraine's military, bar NATO membership, and lift sanctions on Russia. The author argues that this episode illustrates how wealthy individuals with ties to dictators are undermining American democracy and foreign policy. The piece warns that such oligarchic influence could lead to a new nuclear age.
The November 2025 phone call described in the excerpt placed Kushner as the intermediary delivering terms that originated in Moscow. The demands extended beyond Russian territorial claims, encompassing restrictions on Ukraine's military capacity, a permanent bar on NATO membership, and sanctions relief for Russia. The proposal also required Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas, including areas Russia never occupied.
The article draws from Casey Michel's book "United States of Oligarchy," published in August 2026. Michel directs the Human Rights Foundation's Combating Kleptocracy Program. The piece frames the episode as evidence of wealthy figures with authoritarian ties shaping U.S. foreign policy, with the author warning this trajectory could lead to renewed nuclear proliferation.
This episode could signal a shift in how U.S. foreign policy decisions are made, with private individuals potentially wielding influence traditionally reserved for elected officials. If such dynamics persist, allied nations may question the reliability of American commitments, while adversaries could perceive opportunities to exploit divisions. The broader public