Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, targeted in Russia probe

Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, a senior White House adviser with responsibility for forging peace between Israel and Palestinians, is under scrutiny by the FBI in the Russia probe, the Washington Post and NBC News reported on Thursday.

Kushner is being investigated for failing to disclose his interactions with Russian officials, including the Russian ambassador and a banker from Moscow, the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the investigation.

Kushner initially failed to declare the meetings on forms to obtain a security clearance to serve in the White House. His lawyer later said it was a mistake, telling the FBI he would amend the forms.

NBC News, citing unidentified US officials, also reported that while the FBI was looking at Kushner, it did not mean they suspected him of committing a crime.

"Mr Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry," Jamie Gorelick, one of his attorneys, told the Post.

Trump has placed Kushner at the centre of the administration's foreign policy. He accompanied the US president to the Middle East this week and visited Iraq in April.

Kushner also played a key role in the $110bn arms deal between Washington and Riyadh. 

His family has long had business ties to Israel, including supporting a settlement in the West Bank.

According to The New York Times, he even called weapon manufacturer Lockheed Martin chief Marillyn Hewson to see if she could knock down the price of the THAAD missile defence system.

US intelligence agencies accuse Moscow of hacking the emails of the Democratic National Committee last year in a bid to influence the presidential elections.

The possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign has been a source of scandals and controversies in the White House.

Michael Flynn, a close confidant of Trump, was forced to resign in February as national security adviser after it became known that he discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador in 2016.

Trump also fired FBI director James Comey who had told Congress that the bureau is investigating possible ties between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that senior Russian intelligence and political officials discussed how to influence Trump through his advisers, citing information gathered by American spies last summer.