Time to build Russian-US bridges
Former Russian energy minister Igor Yusufov says the new US administration will be a boon for hydrocarbons cooperation
From Moscow's perspective, the Western media's ceaseless fretting about Donald Trump is silly. Igor Yusufov, tells Petroleum Economist, the new regime offers scope for improved international energy dialogue. Yusufov was Russia's energy minister between 2001 and 2004, when he was also chairman of state-owned Rosneft. Now he runs Moscow-based Fund Energy, with assets in Siberia, and is understandably bullish about what a sympathetic stance in the White House might do for his country's energy sector. Yusufov has also known the new Secretary of State—former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson—for 15 years. And he's convinced he'll bring good things for Russian oil and gas. "A person of such profession
Also in this section
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment
