Russian Envoy Backs Jared Kushner as Ukraine Peace Talks Expand Into Multibillion-Dollar Oil Deal

A senior Russian envoy has publicly defended Jared Kushner after reports raised questions about potential conflicts of interest as Ukraine peace negotiations expanded to include a proposed multibillion-dollar deal for Lukoil's international assets.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy and head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, responded directly to Kushner on social media after the former White House adviser denied suggestions of improper conduct.

'Jared is a Peacemaker. Peacemakers get attacked for peacemaking because warmongers lavishly fund those attacks. But Peacemakers will prevail and warmongers will lose,' Dmitriev wrote, appending a dove emoji to his post.

The exchange followed reports that Kushner and Steve Witkoff have been negotiating terms for a consortium including US investor Todd Boehly, Middle Eastern investors and a US government investment agency to acquire Russian energy assets, including vast oil fields, refineries and filling stations around the world owned by Lukoil, one of Russia's largest energy companies.

The proposed deal includes Middle Eastern investors with business ties to Kushner or Witkoff's family, according to the reporting. The transaction, which remains contingent on approval from both Washington and Moscow, would benefit those investors, though there is no indication Kushner or Witkoff would personally profit.

Origins of the Lukoil Proposal

Putin raised the proposal during a meeting with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin, according to sources.

The Russian president pitched the transaction as a signal that Moscow could resume doing business with the United States, while US officials have also cited potential benefits for energy prices.

A senior administration official said Kushner and Witkoff helped negotiate the financial terms of the proposed US government investment, including 'a substantial upfront payment and profits interest for the United States.'

A spokeswoman for Witkoff said he draws no government salary, travels on his own plane at his own expense, and has no financial stake in the matter.

Kushner, whose volunteer status means he is not subject to some federal ethics rules that apply to government employees, has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts involving his private business interests.

Kushner criticised the reports on X, calling them 'misleading' and saying they would not distract him from his diplomatic work.

Prospective Investors and Their Ties

Among the prospective investors are billionaire Todd Boehly, a donor to Trump-aligned political groups, and a Qatari business group controlled by brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, who have business ties to Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

Another prospective investor is a fund controlled by UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose interests have financial ties to World Liberty Financial, the Trump family-linked cryptocurrency venture run in part by Witkoff's son.

Diplomatic and Commercial Dimensions

The reported overlap has prompted questions from congressional critics about potential conflicts of interest.

The proposed transaction adds a significant economic dimension to the broader diplomatic effort.

Dmitriev has held multiple discussions with Witkoff and Kushner. In previous contacts, reported, he was involved in negotiations over a sanctions waiver for seaborne Russian oil and prisoner exchanges.

Dmitriev's public defence of Kushner adds a notable Russian response to the criticism surrounding the American negotiators.

Current State of Negotiations

The diplomacy now encompasses both efforts to reduce attacks on energy infrastructure and separate discussions over the proposed Lukoil transaction.

The transaction remains provisional and would require approval from both Washington and Moscow.

The proposed Lukoil transaction, which could have implications for Russian energy assets and US-Russia economic relations, remains under discussion as the peace process advances.