Alaska gas venture discussed in Trump's Ukraine peace talks was secretly funded by a Russian giant, ex-boss claims

Joel Riddle, who led Polar LNG until quitting in September, says he was misled into thinking its start-up cash came from a United Arab Emirates firm. Texts show Novatek bosses Denis Solovyov and Leonid Mikhelson discussing up to $15 million for its Abu Dhabi parent, Tech Wave. Vladimir Putin raised the plan with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner last month. 'It's not only unlawful,' Riddle said.

Treasury sanctions enforcers had flagged 'potential Russia-related sanctions concerns' over partly sanctioned Novatek.

Polar LNG calls Riddle a 'disgruntled former employee', but he resigned six days before being sacked.

Trump waived the law's Russia sanctions only last week to keep peace talks alive.