Carlyle considers bid for foreign assets of Russia’s Lukoil
US buyout group is one of several bidders vying for parts of oil major’s sanctions-hit international operations
US buyout group is one of several bidders vying for parts of oil major’s sanctions-hit international operations

Agreement comes after US targeted Russian company with sanctions in October

Trump administration signals support for proposal to divvy up sanctioned Russian company’s international businesses

Washington also takes steps to reduce disruption stemming from sanctions it has imposed on Russian oil producer

Buyer had close ties to Moscow and was co-founded by close associate of Vladimir Putin

Washington’s move to prevent oil trader Gunvor from buying Russian group’s assets revives prospect of Rosneft power grab

Buyers including private equity firm Carlyle are circling the Russian oil group’s international assets