NYT: Trump's ally Novatek signs deal with Russia on natural gas in Alaska

The New York Times reported that American financier 'Gentry Beach', who is a close friend of Donald Trump's family, had signed an agreement last fall with Russia's Novatek to develop natural gas for Alaska during the Western sanctions against Russia.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Alaska in August to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

On the sidelines of negotiations, U.S. officials and Russian officials discussed a number of?potential deals in energy. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the business proposals were intended to encourage the Kremlin into agreeing to a peace agreement in Ukraine and for Washington to ease sanctions against Russia.

After four years, the war in Ukraine is still raging.

The New York Times spoke with the Texas financier and reported that he quietly signed an agreement to help Novatek develop natural gas in Alaska.

He declined to disclose financial details, saying that the project is still in its early stages.

Novatek confirmed to the newspaper that "in fact, negotiations are underway on the potential uses" of their technology for?liquefying natural gas in remote Northern Alaska. However, it didn't confirm that it worked with Beach.

Novatek didn't respond to my request for a comment. Beach wasn't immediately available to comment.

Beach is the chairman and CEO of America First Global, an investment firm that has interests in mining, energy and infrastructure. He raised?funds in 2016 for Trump's campaign and helped shape the administration's "America First" economic and diplomatic policy.

According to the New York Times, Beach is also an old friend of Donald Trump Jr.

(source: Reuters)