Democrats see White House "pay for play" scheme with Balkan gas project
Summary
A U.S. company connected to associates of President Trump is set to build a $1.7 billion gas pipeline in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lawmakers say the Trump administration lifted sanctions on Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik to help this deal, which could change the region’s energy situation and weaken past U.S. policy.Key Facts
- AAFS Infrastructure & Energy, linked to President Trump’s former lawyer and General Michael Flynn’s brother, aims to build the Southern Interconnection Gas Pipeline.
- The pipeline would connect Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia’s gas network, allowing Bosnia to import liquefied natural gas (LNG).
- This project is worth about $1.7 billion and could reduce Bosnia’s dependence on Russian gas.
- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who had previously opposed the pipeline, stopped blocking it after AAFS got involved.
- The Trump administration lifted U.S. sanctions on Dodik that had been in place for nearly a decade.
- Dodik’s sanctions were originally imposed due to accusations of corruption and destabilizing efforts in Bosnia.
- A House Democrats report claims the pipeline deal is linked to the sanction removal and Trump associates’ influence.
- The Biden administration had added more sanctions on Dodik in 2022 for corruption and favoritism in government contracts.
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