Trump Associate Partners with Russian Energy Giant for Alaska Gas Project

A Texas financier with connections to the Trump family has entered into a partnership with Russian energy company Novatek to develop natural gas resources in Alaska. The deal comes despite ongoing Western sanctions against Russia and amid the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

A Texas businessman with close connections to former President Donald Trump’s family has entered into a partnership with Russian energy company Novatek to develop natural gas resources in Alaska, according to a New York Times report published Friday.

Gentry Beach, the financier in question, quietly reached the agreement with the Russian energy giant last fall, even as Western sanctions against Russia remain in place due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The partnership emerged following discussions that took place in August when Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Alaska focused on finding ways to end the war in Ukraine.

During those negotiations, American and Russian representatives explored various energy partnership opportunities as side discussions. Sources with knowledge of the conversations indicated these business proposals were intended to provide incentives for the Kremlin to pursue a peace agreement in Ukraine while encouraging Washington to reduce sanctions on Russia.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the conflict in Ukraine continues after four years of warfare.

According to the Times report, which included an interview with the Texas businessman, Beach acknowledged signing the development agreement with Novatek but emphasized the project remains in preliminary phases and confronts substantial challenges. He chose not to reveal financial specifics of the arrangement.

When contacted by the newspaper, Novatek confirmed it was “indeed having negotiations on the potential use” of its technology for liquefying natural gas in Alaska’s remote northern regions, though the company stopped short of confirming Beach as its partner.

Neither Novatek nor Beach responded to Reuters’ requests for additional comment.

Beach serves as chairman and CEO of America First Global, an investment company with holdings in energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. He played a role in fundraising for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and helped develop the administration’s “America First” economic and diplomatic policies.

The New York Times also reported that Beach maintains a college friendship with Donald Trump Jr.