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THREAD: "Party loyalty is often cited as the reason @GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the election. dallasnews.com/opinion/commen…
"Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have their own links to the Russian oligarchy that they would prefer go unnoticed.
"Trump and the PACs for Mitch McConnell, Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Lindsey Graham, John Kasich and John McCain accepted $7.35 million in contributions from a Ukrainian-born oligarch who is the business partner of two of Russian president Vladimir Putin's favorite oligarchs...
"... and a Russian government bank. businessinsider.com/what-is-veb-pu…
"During the 2015-2016 election season, Ukrainian-born billionaire Leonard 'Len' Blavatnik contributed $6.35 million to leading Republican candidates and incumbent senators.
"Mitch McConnell was the top recipient of Blavatnik's donations, collecting $2.5 million for his GOP Senate Leadership Fund under the names of two of Blavatnik's holding companies."
"Blavatnik's relationships with Russian oligarchs close to Putin, particularly Oleg Deripaska, should be worrisome for Trump and the six GOP leaders who took Blavatnik's money during the 2016 presidential campaign."
"Trump and Putin have a common approach to governance. They rely heavily on long-term relationships and family ties."
