Industry chief states great US companies ‘lining up’ to go back to Russia
(MENAFN) US energy and technology companies are showing interest in returning to Russia, but a peace agreement and the removal of sanctions are required first, according to Robert Agee, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.
Agee made the remarks following Monday’s White House meeting that included US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, and key Western European backers of Kiev. The gathering came shortly after the Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In an interview with Russian business outlet RBK on Wednesday, Agee emphasized that it is premature to expect an immediate return of US companies. “They’re just waiting in line, they’re watching, thinking,” he said, noting that firms are still evaluating conditions for a potential comeback.
Agee welcomed Putin’s recent decision allowing ExxonMobil to reclaim its stake in the Sakhalin-1 energy project. While the company is not yet returning, Agee said the move sends a strong signal to American businesses. “I think this signal will be positively received,” he said, describing it as “a very good, positive signal” suggesting “strong support for a return.”
He added that around 20% of US companies that exited Russia in 2022-2023 retained buyback options for their assets, with most agreements expiring in 2026 or 2027. Many international firms left Russia due to Western sanctions following the 2022 Ukraine conflict or to avoid secondary sanctions and broader international pressures.
Earlier this year, Putin directed the government to draft regulations to facilitate the safe return of Western companies, ensuring protections for domestic businesses in the process.
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