The Kremlin’s official spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, denies that center-right French presidential candidate Francois Fillon received $50 million for arranging a meeting between Vladimir Putin, Lebanese billionaire Fouad Makhzoumi, and Patrick Pouyanné, the CEO of the energy giant Total, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2015.
“Frankly, this seems like the latest fake — what we call ‘fake news’ in English,” Peskov told reporters, insisting that the protocol for arranging the president’s meetings allows “no place for intermediaries.”
Le Canard Enchaine, a satirical French newspaper that also publishes investigative journalism, reported that Fillon’s consulting company, 2F Conseil, had earned $50,000 for setting up the meeting, claiming that Fillon had help from Patrick Pouyanné, the CEO of Total.
Le Canard Enchaine also published part of what it says is a photocopy of an agreement between 2F Conseil and Makhzoumi’s Lebanese business conglomerate. Fillon's signature supposedly appears on the document.
Fillon is also fighting other corruption accusations, including allegations that his family members received state salaries for government jobs they never performed.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
