Negocieri secrete SUA-Rusia. Șeful Sălii de bal a lui Trump s-a întâlnit cu oficiali ruși la Sankt Petersburg • Newsweek România

Rodney Mims Cook Jr., overseeing the White House ballroom project, undertook a discreet diplomatic mission to St. Petersburg, meeting Russian officials at Trump's request. He received a diplomatic passport and attended a forum hosted by Putin, presenting his trip as a cultural visit. Sources suggest the U.S. hoped unconventional emissaries like Cook could help ease diplomatic tensions over the Ukraine war. Cook met with key Kremlin advisors and witnessed a Ukrainian drone attack during the forum. He conveyed greetings from Trump to Putin but declined to comment on his meetings or future contacts.