Uzbekneftegaz signs five-year lobbying deal with Trump-linked U.S. firm Ballard Partners

According to the agreement, Uzbekneftegaz will pay Ballard Partners a monthly fee of $83,334, with payments made quarterly at $250,000 per quarter. Over the five-year term, the total value of the contract could reach up to $5 million.

The contract was signed on December 12, 2025, and covers strategic consulting and advocacy services, including the representation of Uzbekneftegaz’s interests before the U.S. government. The agreement was first highlighted by the Telegram channel Revizor.

Under the terms of the deal, Ballard Partners will provide support related to U.S. government engagement, policy analysis, and interest representation. The firm is known for offering lobbying services, strategic advice, and government relations management for corporate and government clients.

Ballard Partners was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Florida. In addition to its main office, the company operates in Washington, Los Angeles, Boston, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and several other cities. Its services include advocating for clients before U.S. government agencies, developing political and regulatory strategies, managing relationships that influence public policy, and, in some cases, providing lobbying services for foreign governments and companies under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The firm has often been described by U.S. media and analysts as being close to Donald Trump. Reports note that Ballard Partners played a significant role in fundraising during Trump’s first presidential campaign and opened a Washington office in 2017, a move widely seen as a strategic expansion of its influence. Several former Ballard Partners employees later went on to hold senior positions within the Trump administration.

Media outlets have also reported a sharp increase in the firm’s revenues amid expectations of Trump’s return to power, citing growing demand for its services from organizations seeking influence in Washington.

The contract comes against the backdrop of expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States in the energy and mining sectors. Earlier, the U.S. Department of State announced agreements reached during the Uzbek president’s visit to Washington on November 6. These included commitments to prioritize U.S. companies in developing newly identified mineral deposits in Uzbekistan and to jointly implement projects worth up to $400 million in the critical minerals and rare earths sector.

Uzbekistan has also announced plans to purchase small modular nuclear reactors from U.S. energy companies. In addition, Air Products has pledged up to $3 billion in investment to establish methanol production in Uzbekistan.

Previously, Uzbekneftegaz subsidiary UNG Overseas signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S.-based company Cargill, providing for up to $3 billion in long-term financing aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s energy security.