Report: US talks with Russia include possible oil deals

According to a report, US talks with Russia about ending the war also include oil deals. Business partners close to Witkoff and Kushner could benefit.

Washington. According to a newspaper report, the US government's talks with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine have expanded into billion-dollar oil deals. Businessmen with connections to US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would benefit from these, the New York Times reported.

The possible deal, which depends on the approval of the US government and the Kremlin, involves a global network of oil fields, refineries and gas stations owned by the Russian energy company Lukoil.

In addition to US billionaire Todd Boehly, the group seeking the deal includes two Middle Eastern companies that have already done business with Kushner or Witkoff's family, the newspaper said. The White House, the U.S. Treasury Department and Lukoil did not respond to requests for comment.

There is probably no evidence that Kushner or Witkoff themselves would benefit from the deal, the New York Times reports. However, the unfinished deal signals a mixing of personal business relationships with geopolitical interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the deal during his Sept. 5 meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin. This was reported by three people familiar with the conversation to the New York Times. According to one of these people, Putin suggested doing the deal to show the Russian people that doing business with the United States was possible.

Trump has been promoting business with Russia since the beginning of last year and describes the country as a “tremendous opportunity.” The proposed deal could also bring renewed focus to Trump's cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial, which Witkoff co-founded. One of the investors involved in the Lukoil deal also holds shares in World Liberty Financial.