Ukraine-Krieg: Ukraine-Friedensgespräche sollen an großen Öl-Deal geknüpft werden

U.S. government talks with Russia on ending Ukraine's war have reportedly expanded to billion-dollar oil deals. Businesspeople connected to U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stand to profit from the potential deal, according to a New York Times report. The deal, which depends on approval from the U.S. government and the Kremlin, involves a global network of Lukoil's oil fields, refineries, and fuel stations.

Besides U.S. billionaire Todd Boehly, the group includes two Middle Eastern concerns that have already done business with Kushner or Witkoff, the newspaper notes. The White House, U.S. Treasury Department, and Lukoil did not respond to requests for comment on the statement of purpose. While there are no indications that Kushner or Witkoff would personally benefit from the business, the unfinished deal signals a mixing of personal business ties with geopolitical interests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the deal during a meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin on September 5, according to three people familiar with the conversation. Putin reportedly proposed concluding the business to show the feasibility of U.S. business relationships with Russia to the Russian population. Since the previous year, Trump has been advocating for business with Russia, describing it as a "huge opportunity."

The planned business could also bring Trump's cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial, co-founded with Witkoff, back into the spotlight. One of the investors in the Lukoil deal holds shares in World Liberty Financial. More: Witkoff and Kushner's diplomacy was for a purpose.