The proposed framework, reported by the Financial Times, centers on reviving joint ventures such as the Sakhalin oil project and reopening the Druzhba pipeline. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, allegedly discussed these prospects during a September meeting with the Russian leader. Beyond oil, the administration is weighing cooperation in titanium production and the restoration of Russian airspace access for US airlines to reduce fuel costs. These overtures arrive alongside a recent decision to import Russian diesel and a pause on new energy sanctions, moves that have sparked significant friction with Kyiv.
Ukraine has remained defiant, continuing long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure despite direct pressure from the White House to cease. This strategic divergence has strained the relationship between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, with reports of dwindling intelligence-sharing and disputes over Starlink access. While US officials insist that any business agreements remain contingent on a definitive end to hostilities, the move faces skepticism from Western allies. Meanwhile, the diplomatic landscape is shifting; leaders from Finland and Norway have broken with the broader European consensus by initiating direct calls with Putin, though their efforts to secure de-escalation have yielded little initial progress.
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