U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Involve Multi-Billion Dollar Oil Deal, NYT Reports
The New York Times reported that the Trump administration's talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine have expanded to include a multibillion-dollar oil deal involving Lukoil oil fields, refineries and gas stations. The deal is contingent on approval from the US government and the Kremlin and would benefit Middle Eastern business executives with ties to US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The group pursuing it includes US investor Todd Boehly, two Middle Eastern groups that have done business with Kushner or Witkoff's family, and an arm of the US government, and Putin raised the deal at a September 5 Kremlin meeting with Witkoff and Kushner.
Why it matters: It bears on the theme of energy security, because negotiations over ending the war in Ukraine are being conducted alongside the proposed transfer of Russian oil assets.