Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide Andriy Yermak and U.S. lobbyist Bryan Lanza, who is close to U.S. President Donald Trump, may form a new communication channel between the White House and the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Their meeting was reported on Twitter by Michael Weiss, a New York Times journalist, Censor.net reports.
"Brian Lanza, a former Trump campaign official turned lobbyist, was meeting with Zelensky's aide (and former Rudy [Giuliani] contact) Andriy Yermak at Goodman steak house in Kyiv," the journalist wrote.
Weiss also suggested that this could be a new "back-channel" between the White House and the Office of the President of Ukraine.
"Traveling to Ukraine 'on business' is a very convenient cover story, after all," said Weiss.
He also noted that an unknown source recorded and posted on Youtube a video of the meeting, which, apparently, was also attended by Yernak's PR consultant Daria Zarivna.
Ukrainian Pravda also reported on the meeting of Andriy Yermak and Bryan Lanza: it is reported that the meeting took place on the evening of November 13 at the Goodman restaurant in Kiev on Zhilyanska Street.
At first, Lanza spent time in the company of Yermak’s assistant, and at about 22:00, Zelensky's aide joined in.
The reason for the meeting between Yermak and lobbyist Bryan Lanza, who is close to Donald Trump, is unclear.
Read alsoPrystaiko speaks of presidential aide Yermak's functions
Previously, CNN reported that Brian Lanza was one of the lobbyists who worked toward the lifting of sanctions off companies of the Russian oligarch close to the Kremlin, Oleg Deripaska.
Prior to that, Lanza was an advisor to Donald Trump during his presidential election campaign.
According to U.S. media, the lobbyist is still in constant contact with White House officials.
