An American investor has received support from U.S. authorities and representatives of Persian Gulf countries to acquire foreign assets of the Russian oil company “Lukoil.”
The billionaire financier Todd Bowley, who has been working for several months on this effort, has secured backing from the U.S. government and influential figures associated with the Trump family. According to sources, his consortium includes representatives of the American Agency for International Development Financing, UAE President Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s brother, and members of the Qatari billionaire dynasty al-Hayat.
However, proceeds from such a sale would not be accessible to Russia until U.S. Treasury Department approval or sanctions are lifted.
In October 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on “Rosneft” and “Lukoil,” along with their 28 subsidiaries. Subsequently, on October 30, Lukoil’s press service reported an agreement to sell LUKOIL International GmbH to Gunvor, a commodity trader. But by November 6 of that year, Gunvor was barred from issuing licenses and withdrew its bid.
