Former boss of Alaska gas firm says a sanctioned Russian giant secretly funded the project Trump's envoys discussed with Putin

Joel Riddle, who quit as Polar LNG chief executive in September, says he was told the start-up's cash came from a firm in the UAE. At least some of it came from Novatek, a Russian energy giant under partial US sanctions. Riddle called the arrangement 'not only unlawful' and against America's interest. Last week Trump waived sanctions in a law that singles out Novatek.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly raised the Alaska plan with Putin last month.

Novatek now says it is moving to become a 'minority shareholder' in the project.

Trump on Saturday: 'Certainly, we'll do business… with Russia after this war ends.'