Peter Mandelson travels on Oleg Deripaska’s private jet across Europe to attend EU Russia trade summit in The Hague raising questions about undeclared flights and aluminium tariff influence

Back in November 2004, a seemingly routine flight across Europe carried far more than just passengers.

Onboard a Gulfstream IV jet that landed in Rotterdam were three crew members and a single passenger: Peter Mandelson, the former New Labour strategist and newly appointed European Union trade commissioner.

It was his first week in the high-profile Brussels role, and the urgency of his travel would later raise eyebrows.

The flight would eventually take Mandelson to The Hague for a summit between the EU and Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin.

The summit focused heavily on trade, including the lucrative aluminium industry — a sector dominated by oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who was also on the European radar at the time.

Flying on a Russian Oligarch’s Jet

The plane, a Bermudan-registered Gulfstream IV with the call sign VP-BNN, was controlled by Deripaska, then a rising metals tycoon.

According to a flight crew member who spoke anonymously to the Daily Mail, Mandelson’s itinerary was unusual.

The jet collected him from Brussels, briefly landed in England, and then carried him on to the Netherlands.

The crew member described Mandelson as “quite ratty” and impatient to reach The Hague.

Meanwhile, Deripaska himself was “always very genteel,” the crew member added.

The urgency was reportedly linked to aluminium tariffs being discussed at the summit — a topic directly benefiting Deripaska’s Rusal, the world’s largest aluminium producer.

Undeclared Flights and Potential Conflicts

The EU Commission later confirmed there were no records of Mandelson declaring the flight, as protocol required.

While no concrete evidence suggests a quid pro quo, the timing of the summit and the subsequent reduction of aluminium tariffs benefited the Russian economy and Deripaska personally.

Documents and crew notes show this was not an isolated instance.

Mandelson had used Deripaska-linked jets on other occasions, including trips to Moscow and Siberia.

These journeys often included private dinners with key Russian figures and tours of industrial facilities — activities that Brussels officials were reportedly unaware of.

The Epstein Connection and Ongoing Fallout

Mandelson’s entanglements weren’t limited to Russian oligarchs.

His long-standing friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein brought further scrutiny.

Epstein’s files, released in 2025, revealed financial assistance provided to Mandelson’s husband and highlighted connections that intersected with Mandelson’s lobbying activities.

These associations have contributed to Mandelson leaving the House of Lords, resigning from Labour, and exiting various business roles.

A recent police raid on his country house, rented from financier Nat Rothschild, underscores the ongoing legal and ethical questions surrounding his career.

Historical Context: Yachtgate and Beyond

Public interest in Mandelson’s proximity to Deripaska dates back to 2008’s “Yachtgate” scandal.

Holidays in Corfu with Rothschild, George Osborne, Andrew Feldman, and a super-yacht owned by Deripaska sparked questions about the former commissioner’s judgment and potential conflicts of interest.

Court proceedings over Rothschild’s libel action against the Daily Mail ultimately affirmed that Mandelson’s trips — including undeclared meetings with Russian officials — exposed his public office to accusations of impropriety.

The Supreme Court upheld the ruling, cementing the historical record of these controversial interactions.

The Wider Picture: Kremlin Connections and Aluminium Interests

Crew recollections and documents indicate a pattern: Mandelson often flew on aircraft linked to Deripaska in tandem with Putin’s movements.

The trips were strategically timed around high-level trade discussions, sometimes just days before Putin’s own arrivals.

These connections raise broader questions about the influence of oligarchs on EU policy, the transparency of travel by senior officials, and the intersection of business, politics, and personal relationships.

What’s Next?

The unfolding scrutiny of Mandelson’s European and Russian travel could prompt further investigations into potential conflicts of interest while he served as EU trade commissioner.

Legal authorities in the UK may continue probing undeclared flights and financial entanglements, while historians and journalists are likely to examine the broader implications for EU-Russia trade relations during the early 2000s.

With his past associations with Epstein and Deripaska now under the spotlight, Mandelson’s personal and professional legacy faces renewed examination.

Summary

Peter Mandelson, during his first week as EU trade commissioner in 2004, traveled extensively on jets linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

These undeclared flights coincided with high-stakes trade discussions affecting aluminium tariffs, benefiting Deripaska’s Rusal empire.

Crew testimonies and historical records reveal Mandelson’s urgency and repeated use of oligarch-linked aircraft, raising questions about transparency, conflicts of interest, and Kremlin influence.

His wider connections, including with Jeffrey Epstein and financier Nat Rothschild, further complicate his public legacy and legal standing.