Follow us on social

|

WSJ omits major Pompeo conflict of interest in 'Trump Peace Plan'

Surprise! The former Secretary of State and his co-writer could financially gain from this pro-Ukraine proposal

Reporting | Media

The plan reads like a wish list for the U.S. weapons industry and Ukrainian business interests: create a $500 billion “lend-lease” program for Ukraine to buy weapons, “bulk up America’s defense industry” and “swiftly admit Ukraine [to the European Union] and help it modernize and develop its economy.”

Those recommendations came from a board member of a major Ukrainian telecom company and the managing director of a D.C. lobby shop that counts a member of Ukraine’s parliament, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the second largest weapons firm in the world, as clients.

But the plan, as presented in a Wall Street Journal op-ed last Thursday, wasn’t marketed as a lobbyist’s work for U.S. and Ukrainian companies, and the authors’ potential conflicts of interest weren’t disclosed. The board member of the Ukrainian telecom company, Kyivstar, was simply identified as “Mike Pompeo,” “Secretary of State, 2018-21.” And the lobbyist was identified as “David J. Urban,” “managing director at the BGR Group and of counsel at Torridon Law.”

The plan itself was presented as a “Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine,” though it is not clear whether Pompeo and Urban are speaking for trump or whether the former president has even seen their “plan.”

Meanwhile, the Journal chose not to make readers aware of Pompeo and Urban’s interests in the policies they were proposing — but public records and press releases provide ample documentation.

“I proudly join VEON and Kyivstar in their extraordinary service to the people of Ukraine by providing essential connectivity and digital services in health, education, business growth and entertainment. I also applaud Kyivstar’s parent company VEON for its leadership in investing in Ukraine with their own long-term commitment and their ‘Invest in Ukraine NOW!’ initiative,” said Pompeo in a November 14, 2023, press release announcing his new role as a board member at Kyivstar.

“It is through private enterprise and investments that Ukraine will secure its economic future and success, and I look forward to contributing to this laudable effort,” he added.

E.U. membership would almost certainly benefit Kyivstar and its shareholders, whose interests Pompeo is entrusted to protect.

Urban’s firm, BGR, registered as an agent for two foreign principals based in Ukraine in May 2022, providing pro-bono representation for Vadym Ivchenko, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, and Elena Lipkivska Ergul, an adviser to Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

BGR also has received a $120,000 contract this year to lobby on behalf of RTX (formerly known as Raytheon), the second largest weapons company in the world and whose CEO, Greg Hayes, promised investors in 2022 that “tensions in Eastern Europe,” among other hotpots, would provide significant upside for the company. “So I fully expect we’re going to see some benefit from it,” he said. Raytheon paid BGR $240,000 last year and Lockheed Martin, the largest weapons firm, paid the firm $70,000.

The Journal did not respond to a request for comment about whether they were aware of Urban and Pompeo’s potential conflicts of interest and, if so, why they chose to withhold this information from readers.


U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo delivers remarks to the traveling press at Al Batten Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on September 19, 2019. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha]|
U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo delivers remarks to the traveling press at Al Batten Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on September 19, 2019. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha]|
Reporting | Media
Chris Pratt, Steph Curry
Chris Pratt (Joe Seer/Shutterstock); Israel flag (Shutterstock); Stephen Curry (Reuters)

Israel wants to hire Chris Pratt and Steph Curry

Washington Politics

A newly created firm called Show Faith by Works is carrying out a $3.2 million outreach and digital targeting campaign to Christian churches in the western United States on behalf of the Israeli government. The firm’s goal, as described in its filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, is to increase “positive associations with the Nation of Israel, while linking the Palestinian population with extremist factors.”

Show Faith by Works will carry out the campaign through December for its work, which includes targeting churchgoers with pro-Israel ads “geofencing” major churches, hiring celebrity spokespeople, and visiting churches and colleges with a mobile trailer called the “10/7 Experience” on behalf of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

keep readingShow less
Steve Witkoff Donald Trump Israel
Top photo credit: President Donald Trump walks out with Steve Witkoff after taking part in bilateral meetings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, Tuesday, September 23, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Gaza plan: Looks Like peace, acts like occupation

Middle East

In Deir al-Balah, a mother told me her son now counts the seconds between blasts. Policy, to her, isn’t a debate; it’s whether trucks arrive and the night is quiet. Donald Trump’s 20-point plan promises ceasefire, hostages home, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction. It sounds complete. It isn’t.

Without enforceable mechanics, maps, timelines, phased verification, and real local ownership; it risks being a short-lived show, not a durable peace.

keep readingShow less
Van Jones
Top image credit: screen grab via https://www.youtube.com/@RealTime

Van Jones found out: Gaza dead baby jokes aren't funny

Media

On Friday, Van Jones joked about kids dying in Gaza.

“If you open your phone, and all you see is dead Gaza baby, dead Gaza baby, dead Gaza baby, Diddy,” Jones said on Bill Maher’s ‘Real Time’ HBO program.

keep readingShow less

LATEST

QIOSK

Newsletter

Subscribe now to our weekly round-up and don't miss a beat with your favorite RS contributors and reporters, as well as staff analysis, opinion, and news promoting a positive, non-partisan vision of U.S. foreign policy.