Three people familiar with the matter revealed that the Hungarian company MOL has informed US officials that it intends to acquire the international assets of sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil, which has further expanded the list of bidders. The US imposed sanctions on Russia's largest private oil producer in October as part of an effort to put pressure on Moscow to end the conflict in Ukraine, forcing Lukoil to announce the sale of overseas assets. Sources said Lukoil is in negotiations with US oil giants ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Middle Eastern investors after the US rejected Swiss commodity trader Gong Wo as a buyer. The current deadline set by the US is December 13. One of the three sources said MOL Oil wants to buy Lukoil's shares in European refineries and gas stations, as well as production assets in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. According to a source, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, a long-time ally of US President Trump, discussed MOL's plans during a meeting with Trump in November.

Three people familiar with the matter revealed that the Hungarian company MOL has informed US officials that it intends to acquire the international assets of sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil, which has further expanded the list of bidders. The US imposed sanctions on Russia's largest private oil producer in October as part of an effort to put pressure on Moscow to end the conflict in Ukraine, forcing Lukoil to announce the sale of overseas assets. Sources said Lukoil is in negotiations with US oil giants ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Middle Eastern investors after the US rejected Swiss commodity trader Gong Wo as a buyer. The current deadline set by the US is December 13. One of the three sources said MOL Oil wants to buy Lukoil's shares in European refineries and gas stations, as well as production assets in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. According to a source, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, a long-time ally of US President Trump, discussed MOL's plans during a meeting with Trump in November.