PUTIN EYES US ARCTIC PARTNERSHIP AFTER TALKS WITH TRUMP ENVOYS ON ALASKA GAS PROJECT
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today that Russia is exploring possible cooperation with US partners in the Arctic. The comments came at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.
Putin said Russia is systematically strengthening its technological sovereignty in the gas industry, including LNG technologies already used in harsh Arctic conditions. He noted that countries worldwide are interested in joint work and that European and Chinese partners previously worked with Russia at its fields. “Now we are working on the possibility of joint work with U.S. partners,” Putin stated.
The remarks arrive days after reports that Putin discussed an Alaska energy project with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Those discussions occurred amid broader talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
An Alaska gas venture has faced questions over alleged hidden Russian financing, according to the Financial Times and other reporting. The project, known as Polar LNG, involves an American startup seeking to extract natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope, liquefy it, and export it using technology from Russia’s Novatek. Novatek faces partial US sanctions.
Former Polar LNG chief executive Joel Riddle told the New York Times he was misled about the source of funding. He said he believed the money came from a firm in the United Arab Emirates, when at least some originated from Novatek. Novatek has confirmed it is moving to acquire minority shareholder status in the project. The company has denied wrongdoing in related statements, and Polar LNG has described Riddle as a disgruntled former employee.
The project was raised in discussions between Putin and the Trump envoys as one of several potential energy arrangements that could help normalize relations and support US energy goals. White House officials have viewed such deals as a path toward greater American energy dominance and reduced reliance on adversarial supply chains.
Critics have raised concerns about sanctions compliance and the use of Russian technology in US Arctic resources. Supporters of the approach argue that commercial ties can create mutual interests that stabilize relations and advance US production capacity in a region of growing strategic competition.
Sources: Interfax, New York Times, Financial Times, Reuters.