U.S. and Russian officials have expanded their Ukraine negotiations to include a proposed oil deal. The arrangement involves associates of former President Donald Trump. Talks now cover both a ceasefire and a Russian energy asset sale.
Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the sale of Russian energy assets during talks with Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
The discussions combine diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine with a significant commercial transaction.
Kushner and Witkoff have taken on informal roles in the negotiations. Neither holds an official government position. Their involvement raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The oil deal would allow American investors to acquire stakes in Russian energy companies. Those firms face Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Any such sale would require the lifting or easing of those sanctions. That step would mark a major shift in U.S. policy toward Moscow.
The proposal has drawn scrutiny from ethics experts and lawmakers. They question whether private business interests are shaping foreign policy.
Kushner previously served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House. Witkoff is a real estate developer and longtime Trump ally.
The Kremlin has confirmed that economic issues were discussed alongside the war. U.S. officials have not publicly detailed the terms.
The talks continue amid stalled peace efforts and ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine.
