US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry optimistically discussed expanding US coal exports to Ukraine and other energy matters during a lengthy telephone call this month with a Russian prankster who Perry thought was the Ukrainian prime minister.
The energy secretary was actually talking with comedians known in Russia for targeting celebrities and politicians with audacious stunts, US Department of Energy spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said in a written statement.
Pranksters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov are sometimes called the “Jerky Boys of Russia,” after US duo who put out recordings of their prank telephone calls in the 1990s. They have made faux calls to British singer Elton John, who thought he was speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and others.
Photo: AP
“These individuals are known for pranking high-level officials and celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy security of Ukraine,” Hynes said.
During the 22-minute call on Wednesday last week, Perry, whose department oversees the US nuclear weapons program, discussed a range of topics in a business-like tone, including sanctions against Russia and helping Ukraine develop oil and gas.
US President Donald Trump’s administration opposes Nord Stream 2, a Russian project to bring natural gas to Europe across the Baltic and that US technology could help Ukraine develop gas, Perry said.
“Giving Ukraine more options with some of our technology is, I think, in everyone’s best interest with the exception of the Russians, but that’s OK,” he said.
Perry also discussed the Paris climate accord and coal exports on the call.
The call happened about one month after Perry met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his delegation in Washington.
Trump last month said that Washington plans to offer Ukraine more coal exports from the US because the eastern European nation’s industrial sector has difficulty securing coal from separatist-held regions.
It is unclear how the US would bring more coal to Ukraine, but Perry hinted on the call that the US Department of Commerce was working on it.
“The coal conversation at this particular point in time is with [US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross] and I full well suspect it will go forward,” he said on the call.
News of the call came the same day the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions on Russia.
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