RT: UK blocks multibillion-dollar Russian oil deal

The UK has blocked a $6.4 billion deal by Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman to attain North Sea gas fields, as part of its ongoing sanctions package against Russian businessmen and investors believed to have close ties with President Vladimir Putin.

Fridman was set to buy RWE Dea, an arm of German utility RWE, which pumps oil and natural gas to the UK, Germany, Denmark and Egypt.

The company was to be bought by LetterOne, an investment fund set up by Fridman and his business partner, German Khan, created to invest $14 billion after selling their stakes in the Russian oil producer TNK-BP to Rosnef.

A number of high-profile businesspeople have been involved in advising Fridman on oil and gas investments, including former BP chief executive Lord Browne and former boss of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Jim Hackett.
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