Negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding Ukraine have expanded to include a multi-billion dollar oil deal centered on the Russian energy giant Lukoil, according to reports from the New York Times.
The Trump administration’s discussions with Russia concerning the conclusion of the war in Ukraine have broadened to encompass a lucrative oil deal that would benefit Middle Eastern businessmen linked to American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the New York Times reported.
Lukoil for Sale: Behind the Scenes of Negotiations
The agreement, contingent upon approval from both the U.S. government and the Kremlin, pertains to a vast array of oil fields, refineries, and gas stations worldwide owned by Lukoil.
As of the time of publication, neither the White House, the U.S. Treasury Department, nor Lukoil have commented on these developments.
The report indicates that the group pursuing this transaction includes American investor and billionaire Todd Boehly, two groups from the Middle East with business ties to the Kushner or Witkoff families, and a U.S. government agency.
Lukoil’s Sale Process Delayed
While Lukoil’s international assets have not yet been definitively sold, the matter has become a key element in the behind-the-scenes geopolitical and business negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. Following the imposition of stringent U.S. sanctions in October 2025, the Russian company was compelled to list its foreign empire, valued at approximately $20 billion, for sale.
Initial agreements were reportedly made with the American group Carlyle, but the deal has been deliberately slowed by Washington, which has begun to view it as a significant bargaining chip in peace negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
