The Russian government is considering the merger of three major oil companies – Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, and Lukoil. This move is expected to help secure more favorable energy deals with non-Western countries, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Ahead of this, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that Russian officials and executives are in talks about a potential merger of the state-owned corporations Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, and the independent company Lukoil. The merger could create the world’s second-largest oil producer. The Wall Street Journal noted that the key fi…