US President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring major business agreements with Russia as part of his efforts to end the ongoing Ukraine war. According to a Financial Times report, Washington and Moscow have discussed restarting oil trade, bringing American companies back into Russia’s energy industry and resuming Russian oil supplies to Europe. Cooperation in other industries is also being considered. However, these proposed business agreements would reportedly come into effect only after the war ends. Trump hopes that economic incentives could encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a peace settlement.
Sakhalin Oil Project and Druzhba Pipeline in Focus
Two major proposals are reportedly being discussed between the United States and Russia. The first involves restarting a joint offshore oil project near Sakhalin in Russia’s Far East. The second focuses on resuming Russian oil supplies to Europe through the Druzhba pipeline. These proposals could mark a major change in economic relations between the two countries. However, any revival of these projects would depend on the progress of peace negotiations and the conditions attached to a possible agreement.
Steve Witkoff Discussed Proposals With Putin
According to the report, US special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the proposed agreements with Putin during a meeting in early September. Witkoff, who previously worked in real estate, has faced criticism from both Democratic and Republican politicians in the United States. Some critics have accused him of taking an overly soft approach towards the Russian president. Meanwhile, Washington reportedly hopes that officials from Russia, Ukraine and the US will meet in Abu Dhabi next month for peace discussions. The proposed economic deals are expected to form part of the broader peace plan.
Will ExxonMobil Return to Russia?
The possible return of American energy companies has become an important question in the negotiations. ExxonMobil, the only American company involved in the Sakhalin oil project, had said last year that it had no plans to resume operations in Russia. It remains unclear whether the company has changed its position. Beyond oil, the two countries have also discussed cooperation in titanium production, a metal widely used in aircraft manufacturing. Allowing American airlines to use Russian airspace again is another proposal under consideration, which could reduce fuel costs on certain routes.
Ukraine and European Allies May Oppose the Deals
Russia has faced extensive Western sanctions since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Trump’s efforts to rebuild business ties with Moscow have raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies. The report says Trump recently approved a deal to purchase thousands of barrels of Russian diesel. The US has also held back plans for additional restrictions on Russian energy exports and increased pressure on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. These developments could create further disagreements between Washington and Kyiv.
Zelenskyy-Trump Relations Face Fresh Challenges
Relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have reportedly come under additional strain. Ukraine has refused to stop its long-range drone attacks on Russian targets, while concerns have emerged over interruptions in US intelligence support and Ukraine’s access to Starlink services. Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reportedly held a 90-minute phone conversation with Putin, discussing an end to the war and support for Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, blamed the policies of Ukraine’s allies for prolonging the conflict. The proposed US-Russia business agreements could further complicate the diplomatic situation.
