US-Trump family links: Kushner, Sazan and Zvernec, and US government contacts
Status: Open: investigations in Albania (SPAK) and US Congress minority probe; project status disputed.
Summary
Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners is linked to the Zvernec and Sazan luxury resort plan, which Albania granted strategic investor status in 2024 (details in the existing zvernec-sazan file). In 2026 the project became the centre of mass protests. A US House Judiciary minority letter (25 August 2026) asked Kushner for records on a land purchase of more than $120 million. Kushner says partners bought the land privately for EUR 230 million and that the project is private. Rama says the EU has seen the files and that no building permits had been filed yet (per reports). Albania's Board of Peace link: Rama attended the Board of Peace inaugural meeting in Washington on 19 February 2026 at Trump's invitation (US Embassy statement). A new US ambassador, Eric Wendt, was confirmed in summer 2026.
Key facts
- Board of Peace: Rama attended the inaugural meeting in Washington, 19 Feb 2026 (US Embassy Tirana).
- Raskin letter, 25 Aug 2026: Kushner did not respond; Affinity ignored staff follow-up.
- Kushner: land bought for EUR 230m in a private transaction; project could reach about EUR 4bn.
- Other reporting: sale declared at EUR 122m; value rose from EUR 5.5m (Zvernec) - see existing zvernec file.
- Ivanka Trump visited the Zvernec area 21-22 January 2026 (existing zvernec file).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Kushner-linked entity is the named investor; the Board of Peace attendance is reported by the US Embassy.
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat any US official pressured Rama to stay in office (no documented source).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationBerisha: Rama uses Sazan to buy political influence.
- AllegationOpposition and protesters: the project links the government to Trump family money.
Open questions (2)
- Whether Rama or his office had direct contact with Kushner or Trump officials on Zvernec or Sazan (Kushner says he never met Rama while in government).
- Source of the EUR 230m and $120m purchase price discrepancies.
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Kushner: 'I never met Prime Minister Rama when I was in government' (A2 News summary; quote via search summary).
- Rama: project subject to documented process; EU has seen files; no permits filed yet (reported).
Figures
Money trail →Zvernec land: price stated by Kushner side
€230,000,000
contractSource label: DisputedStated definition: Kushner's figure; other reports say EUR 122m declared; US House minority says $120m. Not reconciled.
Date: 26 Apr 2026 · Payer: Kushner-linked partners · Payee: Seller (private)
- Kosovo-online (SR): Kushner denies preferential treatment for Albania project, could reach EUR 4bn (opens in a new tab)Kosovo Online · Oct 2026 · journalism · OTHER
- House Judiciary Committee (Democrats): Ranking Member Raskin on Kushner's failure to respond and $120m Albanian land purchase (opens in a new tab)US House Judiciary Committee (minority) · 25 Aug 2026 · official · EN
Sazan resort investment (EUR 1.4bn; other outlets cite up to 4bn for wider project)
€1,400,000,000
contractSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Reported investment figure; wider Zvernec-Sazan project cited at about EUR 4bn by Kushner.
Date: Dec 2024 · Payer: Kushner-linked investor · Payee: Sazan project
- A2 News: Kushner explains why he decided to invest EUR 1.4bn in Sazan (opens in a new tab)A2 News · undated · journalism · EN
- Kosovo-online (SR): Kushner denies preferential treatment for Albania project, could reach EUR 4bn (opens in a new tab)Kosovo Online · Oct 2026 · journalism · OTHER
Timeline
Full timeline →International
Rama attends Trump's Board of Peace inaugural meeting in Washington
US Embassy Tirana reports Rama attended at Trump's invitation.
Government
Reported suspension of Kushner island resort (single source; not confirmed)
Intellinews headline: Rama 'suspends Kushner island resort'. Jewish Insider says the project was not yet approved and had no permits. Status unresolved.
International
US Senate confirms Eric Wendt as US ambassador to Albania (vote count disputed)
Sources disagree: 51-47 (17 June) vs 50-44 (6 August). Embassy welcomed him around 8 August 2026.
International
House Judiciary minority (Raskin) writes on Kushner's $120m Albanian land purchase
Letter seeks records including communications with Albanian and US officials; Kushner did not respond.
Connections
New US ambassador, Aug 2026
Evidence: Confirmed as ambassador (Gazeta Tema, 6 Aug 2026); no statement on Rama's tenure found.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 12 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 3 sources
- Publisher
- US House Judiciary Committee (minority)
- Date
- 25 Aug 2026
- Publisher
- US Embassy Tirana
- Date
- 19 Feb 2026
- Publisher
- Gazeta Tema
- Date
- 6 Aug 2026
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 6 sources
- Publisher
- Kosovo Online
- Date
- Oct 2026
- Publisher
- Euronews
- Date
- 30 Sep 2026
- Publisher
- Gazeta Tema
- Date
- Jun 2026
- Publisher
- A2 News
- Date
- undated
- Publisher
- A2 News
- Date
- undated
- Publisher
- NPR
- Date
- 16 Jun 2026
Source label: DisputedDisputed · 1 source
- Publisher
- BalkanWeb
- Date
- Aug 2026
Source label: UnverifiedUnverified · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Intellinews
- Date
- Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Jewish Insider
- Date
- Jun 2026