It Has Come To Light Why An Oligarch Close To Putin Paid For Trump's Son's Wedding
- 1.10.2026, 8:10
There is a clear strategic goal behind this decision.
Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev is seeking to regain control of Olympic boxing for his association, the IBA, and to gain political leverage through the son of U.S. President Donald Trump.
This was reported by The Telegraph.
According to the publication, the president of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Umar Kremlev paid at least $170,000 to rent a private island and organize a fireworks show for the wedding celebration of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson.
The generous gift and the Russian’s presence at the event have raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers.
Congressman Robert Garcia of the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee publicly asked: “What did he get in return? We need answers.”
According to The Telegraph, there is a clear strategic goal behind this relationship: to restore the IBA’s right to host Olympic tournaments.
The International Olympic Committee stripped the IBA of its status as the global governing body due to corruption and politicized decisions, specifically the ban on the Ukrainian Boxing Federation.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin is trying to use money and connections to regain influence over world sports.
“I am proud to call Umar not only a leader but also a friend,” Trump Jr. previously stated during a joint IBA event.
Umar Kremlev (real surname: Lutfulloev) has headed the IBA since 2020. He has a criminal record and previously headed the Russian Boxing Federation.
He began his rise in Russian power circles thanks to his ties to the “Night Wolves” motorcycle club and the head of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s security service.
Kremlev then secured a monopoly on the betting and lottery market in Russia, and in 2024, Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship.
Earlier, Bettina Anderson, the wife of Donald Trump Jr., confirmed on Instagram that Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev had paid for their post-wedding celebrations on a private island in the Bahamas.
Later, U.S. President Donald Trump himself responded to the situation. He stated that his son, Donald Trump Jr., will reimburse Russian businessman Umar Kremlev for the money he spent on the wedding celebrations.