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US President Donald Trump’s administration and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s team are focusing on restoring the presence of American businesses in Russia’s energy market, the Financial Times reported, according to RBC-Ukraine.
The discussions are taking place as part of negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Potential agreements reportedly include:
- Resuming joint oil production in Russia’s Far East under the Sakhalin-1 project.
- Involving US companies in efforts to restore Russian oil exports to Europe through the Druzhba pipeline.
The two sides are also discussing the possibility of resuming Russian titanium exports to the United States. The metal is used, among other things, in aircraft manufacturing.
Another proposal under discussion would allow US airlines to fly through Russian airspace, potentially reducing their fuel costs.
However, sources cited by the FT said the two sides differ significantly over the terms of potential cooperation. Moscow wants to restore economic ties with Washington as quickly as possible, while White House officials insist that any agreements should depend on ending the war in Ukraine.
“Economic deals will be part of an overall peace agreement that will end this brutal, bloody war. But no final decisions have been made,” one source said.
Western diplomats believe Putin’s position remains the main obstacle to a peace deal. In their assessment, the Russian leader is not yet prepared to end hostilities in exchange for economic agreements with the United States.
“For Putin, it is not about money, but humiliation and control,” one source said.
