US-Russia talks on Ukraine involve multi-billion dollar oil deal, NYT reports

The Trump administration's ongoing negotiations with Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine have evolved to encompass a potentially multi-billion dollar oil deal, according to a New York Times report on Saturday. The proposed agreement, which hinges on both US government approval and Kremlin endorsement, involves a vast network of oil fields, refineries, and gas stations owned by the Russian energy conglomerate Lukoil, as per the article.

Sources cited in the report reveal that the negotiations involve a broad coalition, including US investor and billionaire Todd Boehly, two Middle Eastern entities with business connections to either Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff, and a branch of the US government. President Vladimir Putin introduced the concept of this deal during a September 5 meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin, as reported by the NYT, citing unnamed sources familiar with the conversation.

Putin suggested resolving the deal as a means to demonstrate to Russians that business relations with the United States are feasible, according to one person familiar with the discussion.