Trump Secretary's Links with Putin Leaked in Paradise Papers

Donald Trump’s commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, is doing business with Vladimir Putin’s son-in-law through a shipping venture in Russia.

Leaked documents of the Paradise Papers show Ross holds a stake in a shipping company, Navigator, through a chain of offshore investments.

Navigator operates a lucrative partnership with Sibur, a Russian gas company part-owned by Kirill Shamalov, the husband of Putin’s daughter Katerina Tikhonova.

They join established links between Ross and Russian finance that have raised questions over his selection by Trump to head the US Department of Commerce.

Ross, a billionaire and close friend of Trump, retained holdings in Navigator after taking office this year.

The relationship means he stands to benefit from the operations of a Russian company run by Putin’s family and close allies, some of whom are under US sanctions.

Corporate records show Navigator ramped up its relationship with Sibur from 2014, as the US and EU imposed sanctions on Russians.

The measures followed Putin’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Navigator has collected $68m in revenue from its Sibur partnership since 2014.

UCJ, UNILORIN.