The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.The Kremlin appears to be attempting to "sell" its sanctioned energy assets to American buyers in exchange for favorable political outcomes regarding Ukraine, according to emerging patterns in recent business dealings and diplomatic contacts. This strategy has gained urgency as Russia faces the complete loss of European energy markets by 2028 due to sanctions and political pressure.Communications between Russian businessman Dmitriev and Trump associate Steve Witkoff reportedly touched on such arrangements, including earlier discussions about the Nord Stream pipeline. Miami-based financier Stephen Lynch, who has ties to Trump, had previously planned to purchase Nord Stream debt before European opposition blocked the deal.Recent U.S. sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft have freed up significant foreign assets that Moscow initially tried to preserve through the commodities trader Gunvor. After the Treasury Department blocked those maneuvers as too transparent, the Kremlin allegedly pivoted to using these assets as political leverage.Several developments suggest intensified activity around these sanctioned properties. Billionaire Todd Boehly, who purchased Chelsea FC from Roman Abramovich, has joined efforts to acquire Lukoil assets, according to The Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Gunvor suddenly removed longtime CEO Torbjorn Tornqvist, who faced decades of allegations regarding Kremlin connections, replacing him with Gary Pedersen from the company's American division.The concern among Ukrainian diplomatic circles is whether such transactions could become part of separate U.S.-Russia negotiations that bypass Kyiv's interests. The question being debated is whether Ukraine can offer competitive incentives to counter whatever Moscow might propose through asset transfers, or whether exposing these potential arrangements publicly offers better protection.American companies acquiring Russian energy infrastructure isn't inherently problematic, analysts note, but becomes concerning if such acquisitions form part of broader political deals made without Ukrainian involvement. Public scrutiny of these transactions, observers suggest, may be crucial to preventing backroom arrangements that could undermine Ukraine's strategic position.