On the Klochok Time channel, political analyst Maksym Nesvitailov discussed the US initiative offering energy deals to Russia as a potential incentive to end the war in Ukraine. According to Reuters, representatives from the US and Russia met in Alaska and discussed the possibility of the private company ExxonMobil rejoining the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia, which the company abandoned in 2022 after the start of the full-scale invasion.
The talks also covered the option of supplying American equipment for Russian liquefied gas projects. The US strategy aimed to create technological dependence for Russia and reduce its ties to China. However, Nesvitailov highlighted that, over three years, Russia has adapted to sanctions and established parallel imports, mainly from China.
Nesvitailov criticized the Trump administration's approach, arguing it sees the war in pragmatic business terms and overlooks the existential motivation driving the Kremlin. The analyst also pointed out that genuine progress in influencing Russia's position would require Europe's involvement—something Trump’s team has neglected.
The expert concludes there is little reason to fear a prospect of a major energy deal between the US and Russia, since Russia's economic integration with China is far deeper, and Washington's attempts to pull Russia away from China remain superficial.
