According to “WSJ”, for months Russian envoys, including Vladimir Putin's close associate Kirill Dmitriev, have been trying to convince representatives of the Trump administration to participate in the multi-billion economic projects in Russia. Developed by three negotiators—Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Dmitriev—the Ukraine peace plan actually had a much broader scope than just ending the conflict.
According to the daily, negotiators were privately working on solutions that would lead the Russian economy out of the crisis enable American companies to quickly enter the local market, ahead of their European rivals.
The daily emphasizes that Moscow offered American investors access to rare earth metals and energy contracts, which could change the balance of power in Europe and weaken ties between the U.S. and its traditional allies. The Kremlin also allegedly sought to limit the role of official diplomatic channels by focusing talks on a narrow group of Donald Trump's business advisers.
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In the context of these activities “WSJ” recalls the words of Prime Minister Donald Tuskwho was to emphasize during talks with Western leaders that in fact, it is not about peace, but about economic interests. After Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, one of the European intelligence agencies sent a report to officials of other countries, which – according to the newspaper – was intended to cause shock. It contained detailed information on planned joint economic ventures between the US and Russia, including the mining of rare earth elements in the Arctic.
According to “WSJ”, some US administration officials conducted talks bypassing European partners. The daily describes a situation in which Steve Witkoff refused to contact European officials via a secure connection, explaining that he traveled too often to use the inconvenient system.
Peace plan. Business hopes and actions of American investors
“WSJ” points out that both Witkoff, Kushner and other American entrepreneurs were convinced by the vision presented by the Russian side. In an interview with the daily, Witkoff expressed his belief that Russia has enormous resources and vast areas, which creates an opportunity for partnership economic cooperation between Russia, Ukraine and the USA.
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He believes that if all parties benefit from these projects, it could become the foundation for lasting peace because shared prosperity reduces the risk of future conflicts.
The daily also describes a situation in which, after Donald Trump refused to transfer Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Steve Witkoff allegedly advised Kiev to instead seek a 10-year tariff exemption, which could stimulate the Ukrainian economy. Trump's envoy emphasized that his role is to conclude favorable business deals.
Russian oligarchs and American companies. New opening?
According to “WSJ”, American companies and investors are already taking steps to prepare for a return to the Russian market. Putin's close associates, such as Gennady Timchenko, Yuri Kovalchuk and the brothers Arkady and Boris Rotenberg, allegedly sent their representatives to meetings with American businessmen to discuss the possibilities of extracting raw materials in Russia.
A Western security official quoted by the daily claims that the Russians offered concessions for gas extraction in the Sea of Okhotsk and four other locations, as well as for the exploitation of rare earth metals near Norilsk and in Siberia.
Those interested in investing in Russia included: Stephen Lynch, a donor to Donald Trump's campaignwhich was to pay PLN 600,000. hole. a lobbyist associated with Donald Trump Jr. to obtain a license to take over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. In turn, Gentry Beach, a friend of Donald Jr., conducted talks regarding the purchase of shares in a gas extraction project in the Russian Arctic.
Peace plan. The return of large corporations and sanctions
The daily also reports that the deputy director of ExxonMobil was to negotiate with the head of Rosneft, Igor Sechin in Qatar, about the return to investment in the Sakhalin 2 projectwhich was suspended after the imposition of sanctions in 2022.
ExxonMobil, investor Todd Boehly and other American entrepreneurs were also to discuss the possibility of purchasing the assets of Lukoil, which is subject to sanctions.
