NYT - US offered Russia "bonuses" in exchange for halting strikes on energy infrastructure

The administration of US President Donald Trump has offered Russia several options for economic incentives if it agrees to a ceasefire with Ukraine in the energy sector or at sea. This is reported by The New York Times.

According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the Americans put forward three lucrative economic incentives to sway Moscow toward a limited truce - either regarding energy infrastructure or at sea.

One proposal involved unfreezing billions in Russian assets blocked in the West. Officials noted that these funds were intended as an initial incentive to encourage a partial truce, rather than a reward for final peace. This revived the proposal to unlock funds for Russia. At that time, it was about unlocking up to 100 billion dollars.

The Americans also returned to the plan to sell part of the shares of the Russian oil giant Lukoil as part of a multi-billion dollar deal.

According to the plan, a group of investors from the Middle East was supposed to participate in it, among whom were those who had business ties with American negotiators. In addition, the US president's special representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, renewed a US offer that would allow Belarus to export potash.

According to sources, Kyiv refrained from categorically rejecting any proposal but demanded precautionary measures. For instance, it suggested mirror payments in dollars for frozen assets in favor of Ukraine or guarantees of additional military aid in the event of any violation of the truce.