U.S. Media: U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Expand to Include Multi-Billion-Dollar Oil Deal
According to The New York Times, negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine have extended beyond diplomatic channels and now involve a major transaction concerning Rosneft assets. The report indicates that the prospective buyer and key intermediaries in talks with U.S. officials—Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—are closely associated.
President Putin reportedly proposed the deal during a meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin on September 5, suggesting it as a demonstration of potential cooperation with the United States. The transaction would encompass Rosneft’s oil fields, refineries, and service stations worldwide. Primary bidders include Todd Boehly, an American investor who contributed $2 million to Trump’s political campaigns, along with Qatar’s Al-Hayat Brothers Group and a fund linked to Sheikh Tahnoon of the UAE. These entities also have connections to Kushner and Trump’s cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial. The U.S. government is participating through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
The report notes that the deal offers significant advantages to potential buyers: upon U.S. approval, the sanctioned assets would be de-listed from sanctions, triggering an immediate increase in their valuation. The Trump administration appears to view this economic lever as a means to encourage concessions from Moscow on the Ukraine issue.
Commentary
The described transaction remains unconfirmed and stems from anonymous sources. Neither the White House, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, nor Rosneft has responded to requests for comment.
Whether the deal proceeds depends on approval from both U.S. and Russian governments, as well as Washington’s willingness to lift or modify existing sanctions. For buyers, the prospect of a rapid rebound in asset value following U.S. clearance represents the core appeal of the transaction.
Rosneft was added to the U.S. sanctions list in October 2025, forcing the sale of its overseas assets, which were previously valued at approximately $20 billion to $22 billion.
Previously, Carlyle Group had reached a preliminary agreement and received temporary U.S. authorization, but the process stalled for an extended period.
Boehly’s consortium entering the scene, combined with participation from Middle Eastern capital and U.S. government institutions, has further complicated the competitive landscape.
From a geopolitical perspective, such arrangements interweave ceasefire negotiations, energy pricing, sanctions enforcement, and private business ties—exemplifying a distinct form of transactional diplomacy. However, the arrangement does not yet equate to a formal U.S.-Russia agreement. Future developments will hinge on internal U.S. approvals, congressional reaction, and the positions of Ukraine and European partners.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1878091677952131/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.