World · Europe · 1 hr ago
US and Russia discuss postwar return of US firms to Russian oil market
The US and Russia are discussing US firms returning to Russia's oil market as part of talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
The proposals include restarting a joint oil project off Russia's Sakhalin island after fighting ends.
They also include US firms taking part in restoring Russian oil exports to Europe through the Druzhba pipeline.
Washington is considering postwar economic deals as an incentive for Moscow to engage in peace talks, but US officials say projects could happen only after the fighting ends.
No final agreements have been reached, and other ideas under discussion include cooperation in aviation and titanium production.
European diplomats oppose easing sanctions or making economic deals before the conflict ends, and say decisions affecting the European Union require its consent.
The United States and Russia are discussing possible postwar economic cooperation, including the return of US companies to Russia’s oil market.
The proposals are being considered as part of talks to end the war in Ukraine and as a potential incentive for Moscow to take part in peace negotiations.
One proposal would restart joint US-Russian oil projects off Sakhalin after the fighting ends.
The sides are also discussing US company participation in restoring Russian oil exports to Europe through the Druzhba pipeline.
No final agreements have been reached, and US officials say the projects could proceed only after hostilities end.
European diplomats oppose easing sanctions or making economic deals with Russia before the conflict ends.
- Who
- The United States and Russia, including the White House and the Kremlin, are discussing the proposals.
- What
- They are considering postwar economic cooperation, including US firms returning to Russia’s oil market.
- When
- The discussions were reported on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Russia, including the waters off Sakhalin, and the Druzhba pipeline route to Europe.
- Why
- The United States is considering economic agreements as an incentive for Moscow to participate in peace negotiations over Ukraine.
The United States and Russia
European diplomats
Timing of economic agreements
The United States and Russia
The US and Russia are discussing projects that could proceed after the fighting ends.
European diplomats
European diplomats oppose economic agreements with Russia before the conflict ends.
Sanctions and EU interests
The United States and Russia
The US and Russia are discussing possible economic cooperation and, according to the report, possible sanctions relief.
European diplomats
European diplomats oppose easing sanctions and say decisions affecting EU interests cannot be made without EU consent.
Putin and Trump agreed on a large supply of Russian diesel fuel to US and global markets, and Washington temporarily suspended some sanctions.
The New York Times reported that the Trump administration was considering lifting sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
Vedomosti reported discussions about postwar US-Russian economic cooperation, citing the Financial Times.
- Proposed oil project
- Joint US-Russian ventures off Sakhalin
- Pipeline
- Druzhba
- Condition for projects
- After the fighting ends
- Other proposed cooperation
- Aviation, titanium production, and LNG projects in Alaska involving Novatek
- Reported meeting
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed economic cooperation with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg
3 sources
What people are saying
There are no final agreements yet.