It became known that Russia secretly financed a gas project in Alaska

Polar Train LNG is developing a terminal for exporting liquefied natural gas in northern Alaska. The project was launched in March. The plan was to use Novatek's partially constructed terminal, moving it to Alaska.

The company applied to the US Treasury Department for permission to negotiate with the Russian group but had not yet received it at the time of the described events.

According to Redl, he discovered that Novatek was already financing the project and managing its operations without waiting for the necessary approvals. Redl resigned in September. After this, CFO Dan Chandra and other executives also left the company.

"I resigned as CEO of Polar LNG because I was concerned that the Russian company Novatek was funding the company and ultimately controlling its strategic direction," Redl stated.

Initially, he believed that the project was being funded by investor Gentry Beach, associated with the family of US President Donald Trump, and Tech Wave from Abu Dhabi. However, Redl later stated that it became clear that Beach had not invested money in the project and was neither a shareholder nor a manager.

The Financial Times also reviewed WhatsApp correspondence in which Novatek board member Denis Solovyov discussed project financing and attempted to expedite the transfer of funds to Polar Train LNG.

Polar LNG stated that Redl was fired, called him a "disgruntled employee," and assured that the project is being developed in compliance with American law.

Novatek announced that it had agreed to grant Tech Wave the right to use its technologies in Alaska. A memorandum was also signed with Polar Train in April, when Redl was still leading the company.

According to Financial Times sources, the project was discussed during negotiations between Washington and Moscow regarding possible business arrangements that could contribute to ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

Among the proposed options was a scheme in which Novatek's technological expertise for building a terminal in Alaska could be exchanged for a softening of sanctions against the Russian Arctic LNG-2 project.

In February 2026, The New York Times reported that Gentry Beach, a college friend of Donald Trump Jr., announced an agreement with Novatek regarding a gas project in Alaska.

It was also reported on October 9 that Russia is demanding a softening of sanctions as part of negotiations for a possible "energy truce" with Ukraine.

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