Trump acquaintance signs agreement with Russian energy company

According to the The New York Times, American financier Gentry Beach, who is close to the family of US President Donald Trump, has signed an agreement with Russian energy company Novatek on a natural gas extraction project in Alaska.

The deal was reportedly concluded last autumn, at a time when Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine remained in force. It comes against the backdrop of broader contacts between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met in Alaska in August.

Sources familiar with the talks said the energy proposals were intended to encourage the Kremlin to move towards a peace agreement while also raising the prospect of easing sanctions.

Beach said the project remains at an early stage and faces several obstacles, but declined to disclose financial details.

Novatek confirmed discussions concerning the possible use of its gas liquefaction technology, but did not confirm any direct co-operation with Beach. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year.

(reuters, pir)