---
title: "US Offered Russia 'Bonuses' in Exchange for Halting Energy Strikes, NYT Reports"
description: "The US administration proposed economic incentives to Russia, including unfreezing assets and Lukoil deals, in exchange for ending energy strikes."
date: 2026-10-11T08:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-offered-russia-bonuses-in-exchange-for-halting-energy-strikes
tags: [us-russia-relations, donald-trump, ukraine-war, energy-infrastructure, sanctions]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# US Offered Russia 'Bonuses' in Exchange for Halting Energy Strikes, NYT Reports

![US and Russia negotiations on energy truce](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/11/ssha-predlozhili-rossii-bonusy-v-obmen-na-prekrashchenie-udarov-po-energetike/ssha-predlozhili-rossii-bonusy-v-obmen-na-prekrashchenie-udarov-po-energetike-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- The Trump administration proposed economic incentives to Russia in exchange for ending energy and maritime strikes.
- Proposals include unfreezing up to $100 billion in Russian sovereign assets.
- A potential deal involves selling shares of the Russian oil company Lukoil to Middle Eastern investors.
- The U.S. allowed Russian diesel supplies until April 2027, drawing criticism from Kyiv.
- Ukraine insists on mirror guarantees and vows to continue refinery strikes if no energy truce is reached.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed several economic incentives to Russia if Moscow agrees to a ceasefire with Ukraine regarding energy infrastructure or maritime routes. According to reports from The New York Times citing officials familiar with the negotiations, the American side has put forward three major economic packages to encourage a limited truce.

### Economic Incentives and Unfreezing Assets

Sources indicate that Washington's proposals include unfreezing billions of dollars in Russian sovereign assets frozen in the West. Previously, discussions involved unlocking up to $100 billion. Officials noted that these funds were viewed as a preliminary incentive for a partial truce rather than a final reward for concluding an agreement. This initiative revived discussions on releasing the blocked capital to Russia.

Furthermore, American negotiators revisited a plan to sell a stake in the Russian oil giant Lukoil through a multi-billion-dollar deal. The proposed arrangement was set to involve a group of Middle Eastern investors, including individuals with business ties to US negotiators. Additionally, special presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reintroduced a U.S. proposal that would allow Belarus to resume exporting potassium fertilizers to global markets.

### Contradictory Data

The introduction of these incentives has sparked intense political debate and discrepancies among the parties involved. Kyiv has maintained a cautious stance, refraining from outright rejection while demanding strict precautionary measures. For instance, Ukraine proposed mirror dollar payments from the frozen assets in favor of Kyiv or additional military assistance guarantees in the event of any truce violation. Conversely, Washington has voiced concerns over global fuel price stability, with President Trump blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for rising diesel prices rather than Middle East conflicts. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department has authorized Russian diesel supplies by lifting sanctions until April 7, 2027.

### Ukraine's Position and Future Prospects

Ukrainian authorities consider the U.S. diesel agreement with Russia to be unfair, drawing parallels to previous controversial summits. Kyiv maintains that any relief of sanctions on Russia should only be granted in exchange for a comprehensive energy truce. According to insider reports, Ukraine will continue striking Russian oil refineries unless a formal agreement on protecting critical energy infrastructure is successfully negotiated.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [США предложили России "бонусы" в обмен на прекращение ударов по энергетике, - NYT](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-zaproponuvali-rosiyi-bonusi-obmin-pripinennya-1791705105.html) - Основной источник детального описания предложений США и реакции Украины.
- [Зеленский и Трамп обсудили на полях Генассамблеи ООН прекращение ударов по энергетике](https://news.am/ru/news/1063300) - Подтверждает дипломатический контекст контактов по энергетической безопасности.
- [Рубио: Трамп хочет обсудить с Зеленским прекращение ударов по энергообъектам](https://yle.fi/a/74-20017148/64-3-310068) - Подтверждает намерение администрации Трампа остановить удары по энергообъектам.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What economic incentives did the US offer Russia?
**A:** The US offered to unfreeze up to $100 billion in sovereign assets, revive a Lukoil share sale involving Middle Eastern investors, and permit Belarusian potassium exports.

### Q: What is Ukraine's stance on the US proposals?
**A:** Kyiv does not outright reject the offers but demands mirror payouts and security guarantees. Ukraine views the diesel deals as unfair and will continue striking Russian refineries without an energy truce.

### Q: What are the terms of the US diesel license for Russia?
**A:** The US Treasury Department issued a temporary license allowing the supply of Russian diesel to global markets until April 7, 2027.