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
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin
Top photo credit: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin appear on screen. (shutterstock/miss.cabul)

Westerners foolishly rush to defend Azerbaijan against Russia

Europe

The escalating tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan — marked by tit-for-tat arrests, accusations of ethnic violence, and economic sparring — have tempted some Western observers to view the conflict as an opportunity to further isolate Moscow.

However, this is not a simple narrative of Azerbaijan resisting Russian dominance. It is a complex struggle over energy routes, regional influence, and the future of the South Caucasus, where Western alignment with Baku risks undermining critical priorities, including potential U.S.-Russia engagement on Ukraine and arms control.

keep readingShow less
Netanyahu, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa
Top photo credit: OpenAI. 2025. Netanyahu, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. AI-generated image. ChatGPT

Shotgun wedding? Israel and Syria go to the altar

Middle East

For half a century, the border between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights was a model of hostile stability. The guns were silent, but deep-seated antagonism prevailed, punctuated by repeated, failed attempts at diplomacy.

Now, following the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 and a 12-day war between Israel and Iran that has solidified Israel's military dominance in the region, the geopolitical ice is cracking.

In a turn of events that would have been unthinkable a year ago, Israel and Syria are in “advanced talks” to end hostilities. Reports now suggest a White House summit is being planned for as early as September, where Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would sign a security agreement, paving the way for normalization. But this is no outbreak of brotherly love; it is a display of realpolitik, a shotgun wedding between a triumphant Israel and a destitute Syria, with Washington playing the role of officiant.

keep readingShow less
American Special Operations
Top image credit: (shutterstock/FabrikaSimf)

American cult: Why our special ops need a reset

Military Industrial Complex

This article is the latest installment in our Quincy Institute/Responsible Statecraft project series highlighting the writing and reporting of U.S. military veterans. Click here for more information.

America’s post-9/11 conflicts have left indelible imprints on our society and our military. In some cases, these changes were so gradual that few noticed the change, except as snapshots in time.

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.