The New York Times reports that efforts to negotiate an end to the nearly five-year Russia-Ukraine war now reportedly include a multibillion-dollar oil package tied to a consortium with links to associates of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The proposal would cover Lukoil-owned oil fields, refineries and gas stations worldwide and would need approval from both Washington and Moscow. The Times says there is no evidence Kushner or Witkoff would personally profit. The disclosure follows Kushner’s pledge to publicly rebut certain allegations.
U.S.-Russia Peace Talks Now Reportedly Tied to Multibillion-Dollar Lukoil Oil Deal Linked to Kushner Allies
Negotiations aimed at ending the nearly five-year war between Russia and Ukraine now reportedly include a multibillion-dollar oil transaction that could benefit individuals connected to senior U.S. negotiators, The New York Times reported.
The proposed package is said to involve a consortium that includes American investor Todd Boehly — who has donated $2 million to former President Donald Trump’s political causes — and two Middle Eastern business executives who have previously done business with members of the Kushner or Witkoff families. Steve Witkoff is a real estate investor who has been mentioned in reporting about the talks.
According to the report, the deal would cover a portfolio of assets owned by Lukoil — one of Russia’s largest energy companies — including oil fields, refineries and retail gas stations around the world. Any transaction of this nature would require approval by both U.S. and Russian authorities.
The New York Times emphasized that it found no indication that Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff would personally profit from the proposed transaction.
“For the last 10 years, I have ignored false and misleading stories about me and focused on the work,” Kushner wrote on social media. “But the cycle has gotten out of control where old lies get repeated as fact, new ones get added, and the record becomes increasingly distorted.”
“So from time to time, I’m going to respond, not to every allegation,” he added, “but when the truth matters, I’ll put the facts and supporting information out publicly, and people can judge for themselves.”
The New York Times story raises questions about the intersection of diplomacy, private business interests and political ties. The report is based on anonymous and named sources and, as the publication notes, does not allege direct personal gain by the U.S. officials involved.
Read the full report from The New York Times: www.nytimes.com
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