Three prominent American conservative figures have traveled to Moscow to meet with Russia’s top far-right oligarch, Konstantin Malofeev. The meeting, which was announced today on Malofeev’s Telegram channel, included former judge and TV host Andrew Peter Napolitano, former CIA officer Larry C. Johnson, and Mario Nawfal, host of “69 Minutes” on the X Network. Far-right Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin also participated in the gathering. Following this meeting, the group also met with Sergey Lavrov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Many questions were asked about the Ukrainian conflict. The West’s involvement in it is a direct interference in our internal affairs. The lands of Malorossiya and Novorossiya are an integral part of the Russian world. Ukraine itself is a product of the bloody civil war of the early 20th century. Neither Western “peacekeepers” nor the “freezing” of the war will bring a solution to the crisis. And this too should be heard by the multimillion English-speaking audience”, wrote Malofeev.
Andrew Peter Napolitano is a former New Jersey Superior Court judge and a well-known television personality, having served as a senior judicial analyst for Fox News. Napolitano has been a vocal critic of government overreach and has often expressed libertarian views. While there is no public record of previous connections with Russian officials, his libertarian stance may align with certain aspects of Russian conservative ideology.
Larry C. Johnson is a former CIA officer and State Department official who has gained notoriety for his controversial views and writings on intelligence and national security. Johnson has previously been involved in discussions and debates that have touched on U.S.-Russia relations, though direct connections to Russian figures have not been publicly documented.
Mario Nawfal is an entrepreneur and the host of “69 Minutes” on the X Network, a platform known for its diverse and often provocative content. Nawfal’s involvement in the meeting suggests an interest in exploring international perspectives, though his previous interactions with Russian entities are not well-documented.
Konstantin Malofeev is a Russian oligarch known for his far-right views and support for traditionalist and nationalist causes. He has been sanctioned by the European Union and the United States for his alleged involvement in financing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. Malofeev’s influence extends into media and politics, where he promotes a vision of Russia as a bastion of conservative values. Konstantin Malofeev has emerged as a pivotal figure in bridging the Western far-right community with Russia, leveraging his influence to foster ideological and strategic alliances. He is known for organising and sponsoring far-right conferences and events that attract like-minded individuals from across the globe, promoting a shared vision of traditionalist and nationalist values. Malofeev has positioned himself as a central conduit for dialogue and collaboration between Western conservatives and Russian political circles through these gatherings.
Alexander Dugin, a controversial philosopher, is often described as a key ideologue of the Russian far-right. His writings advocated for an Eurasian empire and influenced Russian geopolitical strategy. Dugin’s presence at the meeting underscores the ideological alignment between certain American and Russian conservative circles.
The reasons behind the American conservatives’ visit to Moscow remain speculative. However, it is possible that the meeting was intended to foster dialogue on shared conservative values, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The visit may also reflect a broader interest in exploring alternative geopolitical alliances and narratives challenging mainstream Western perspectives.
This meeting comes on the heels of a significant development in the Ukraine conflict. On Tuesday, U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia, where the United States agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. This decision followed Ukraine’s expression of “readiness” to accept a 30-day ceasefire in its conflict with Russia. The two countries issued a joint statement indicating Ukraine’s openness to the U.S. proposal “to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.”
As the war in Ukraine continues to strain U.S.- Russia relations, these meetings raise questions about the role of non-state actors in international diplomacy and the potential for ideological exchanges that transcend national boundaries. American and international observers will likely scrutinise the implications of these gatherings in the coming days.
