Being Russian and representing Team USA at the Winter Olympics? Impossible… at least on paper. But for “The Great Eight” Alex Ovechkin, it might be possible in a surprising, symbolic way.

By David Lawder and Aftab Ahmed WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a trade deal with India that slashes U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers.

Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. envoys are meeting in the United Arab Emirates, the first known instance that officials from the Trump administration have sat down with both countries as part of Washington’s push to end Moscow’s nearly 4-year-old invasion.

Trump’s India-US trade announcement promises bold shifts in oil and tariffs, but behind the headlines, contracts, refineries, and economics dictate the pace, not political statements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday highlighted progress made by Russian, Ukrainian and American negotiators in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi, even as the path to achieving peace remains unclear.

Russian oil company Lukoil plans to sell its international assets to U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group, Lukoil said Thursday, as it rushes to divest its global portfolio in the face of impending U.S. sanctions.

The announcements were presented by Trump as the result of personal engagement between the two leaders and were framed as steps aimed at strengthening India-US relations and contributing to efforts to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.