Russia and US discuss sanctions-hit Lukoil's foreign assets, Kremlin says

By Reuters News

MOSCOW, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States are discussing the future of the international assets of sanctioned Russian oil producer Lukoil LKOH.MM, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday, according to state television.

Lukoil put its international assets up for sale after being placed under US sanctions over the war in Ukraine. US private equity firm Carlyle Group CG.O agreed in January to acquire them but said this month that it was no longer actively pursuing the deal.

Ushakov's comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

In addition to discussing efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, the two sides reviewed a broad range of economic projects, including several large-scale initiatives, though Ushakov did not name them.

Ushakov said that the issue of sanctions against Lukoil and the sale of its foreign assets were part of the same package of matters under discussion.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Interfax, said a US Treasury licence required for the sale could be extended without difficulty, adding that Washington could "easily" prolong it if necessary.

The Lukoil portfolio, initially valued at about $22 billion, had attracted interest from at least a dozen companies including Exxon Mobil XOM.N and the former owner of Pornhub, Bernd Bergmair.

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