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US Backs Russian Gas Return to Europe Despite Resistance From EU Capitals
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The US is backing a rapid resumption of Russian natural-gas sales to Europe through pipelines running across Ukraine as part of negotiations aimed at securing an energy ceasefire before winter, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on November 1.
The proposal was raised by US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff during visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September, according to US, European, and Ukrainian officials cited by the WSJ.
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The US has already begun importing Russian diesel under a Trump-Putin deal, drawing criticism from US officials, such as New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, over sanctions and legality. UNITED24 Media reported that several tankers carrying the fuel are themselves sanctioned.
Under the plan, Russian gas could be sold through a US intermediary to circumvent European sanctions, potentially creating a business opportunity for American investors. Washington has also proposed placing Russia’s proceeds from the sales into an escrow account in a third country to prevent the Kremlin from using the money to finance its war.
US negotiators believe restoring some Russian access to the European gas market could incentivize the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, to agree to an energy ceasefire. Ukraine could receive transit fees from gas moving through the Soviet-era pipeline network connecting Russia with Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.
The proposal faces significant resistance in Europe. EU legislation requires all purchases of Russian natural gas to be phased out by the end of 2027, while European leaders have repeatedly opposed restoring dependence on Russian energy, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“I certainly would not trust Russia. Even if there were peace tomorrow, which we all hope for,” EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated in October, adding that the ban on Russian gas imports should become permanent.
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A senior Nordic official told the Journal that restarting Russian gas purchases would contradict Europe’s current policy, while an official from another major European country compared the proposal to sacrificing security in exchange for economic concessions.
Ukraine could restart the transit route relatively quickly. Russian gas continued flowing through Ukraine until January 2025, while the Nord Stream pipelines linking Russia directly with Germany were damaged in underwater explosions in 2022 and would require substantial repairs.
Russian gas now accounts for about 11% of Europe’s consumption, down from roughly 45% before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. US liquefied natural gas currently supplies around 30% of European demand, according to the WSJ.
European gas storage is about 75% full ahead of winter and remains below the nine-year seasonal average. Washington has argued that renewed Russian supplies could help lower prices as Europe faces tighter energy conditions.
The proposal has gained renewed urgency after Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian refineries on October 30, following an almost two-week pause made under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure during that period, while Moscow also began shipping diesel to the US, The Wall Street Journal wrote.
The Wall Street Journal also noted that Trump previously took the opposite position on Russian gas, repeatedly criticizing Germany during his first administration for building Nord Stream 2 and warning that dependence on Moscow would leave Europe vulnerable.
The gas proposal follows wider US-Russia discussions over restoring economic ties after the war. The Financial Times previously reported that officials have discussed bringing American oil companies back into Russian energy projects, reopening the Druzhba pipeline, easing sanctions, and reviving other commercial links as part of negotiations with Moscow.
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