Talks between the United States and Russia on ending the war in Ukraine have expanded to include a multibillion-dollar oil deal that would benefit Middle Eastern business executives linked to US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
According to reports, the deal is contingent on approval from the US government and the Kremlin which involves a sprawling network of oil fields, refineries and gas stations around the world owned by Russian energy group Lukoil.
The group pursuing the deal includes US investor and billionaire Todd Boehly, two Middle Eastern groups that have conducted business with Kushner or Witkoff’s family, an arm of the US government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the proposal during a September 5 meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin, citing people familiar with the meeting.
Putin proposed completing the deal as a way to demonstrate to Russians that they could do business with the United States.
Reuters
