US seeks to revive Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine amid energy ceasefire push

The United States is exploring a proposal to restart Russian natural gas exports to Europe through pipelines in Ukraine, hoping to secure an energy ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv and create an incentive for Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a broader peace deal.

The proposal, being pursued by the Donald Trump administration, would route Russian gas sales through a US intermediary to get around European sanctions. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff reportedly discussed the idea during visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the discussions.

The plan comes amid escalating attacks on energy infrastructure on both sides. Ukraine recently resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries after suspending such attacks under pressure from Trump. The pause lasted nearly two weeks, even as Russia continued targeting Ukrainian energy facilities and began shipping diesel to the United States.

Ukraine struck three major Russian refineries over three days after resuming its attacks on Friday, adding urgency to Washington's efforts to negotiate an arrangement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure.

The proposal is also being considered ahead of a possible trilateral meeting involving the US, Russia and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates in mid-November. American negotiators believe that the prospect of renewed energy revenues could persuade Putin to accept a peace arrangement.

However, the proposal faces considerable opposition in Europe, where governments have sought to reduce their reliance on Russian energy since the invasion of Ukraine.

How the proposed arrangement would work

Under the plan discussed by Kushner and Witkoff, Russian natural gas would be sold to European buyers through an American intermediary, allowing the transactions to bypass existing European restrictions. The arrangement could also offer commercial opportunities to US investors.

Washington has reportedly suggested that the proceeds from the sales be placed in an escrow account in a third country. This would prevent the Kremlin from directly using the money to finance its military campaign in Ukraine.

US officials have also been approaching European leaders, arguing that renewed supplies could help bring down energy prices at a time when the continent is preparing for winter and its gas reserves are at their lowest levels in several years.

The proposal, however, appears to conflict with the Trump administration's own sanctions policy. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 gives the US President the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.

Trump's current approach also marks a departure from his position during his first term. He had criticised then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel for supporting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, warning that it would leave Germany "captive to Russia". In late 2019, his administration imposed sanctions related to the project.

A senior US official, cited by the Wall Street Journal, argued that Merkel's mistake had been pursuing the pipeline without first establishing a broader security arrangement with Russia that Moscow would also consider acceptable.

Europe's opposition and the Russian gas ban

European governments have been reluctant to restore energy ties with Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They regard dependence on Russian supplies as a strategic and economic vulnerability and have taken steps to eliminate it.

The European Union has adopted legislation to phase out Russian natural gas imports. The ban is being implemented in stages: restrictions began taking effect in March 2026, with the full prohibition on Russian liquefied natural gas imports scheduled for the end of 2026 and the ban on pipeline gas imports due to take effect in autumn 2027.

The EU's position is that Russian gas purchases should not resume even if a peace agreement is reached. In an October interview with a Hungarian newspaper, the office of EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen reportedly said the ban should be permanent.

"I certainly would not trust Russia. Even if there were peace tomorrow, which we all hope for," Jorgensen said.

A senior Nordic official also said that reopening energy trade with Russia would contradict the principles Europe had upheld since the invasion.

The EU has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian energy. Russian gas accounted for around 45% of the bloc's gas imports before the war, but its share had fallen to about 12% in 2025, according to European Commission figures. The EU's remaining imports were estimated at around 35 billion cubic metres annually.

The resistance to renewed purchases is also rooted in concerns about Moscow's intentions. Earlier this year, the heads of five European intelligence agencies told Reuters that Russia was not seeking to end the war quickly and was using negotiations with Washington to pursue business opportunities.

German lawmakers have similarly warned against an arrangement that could benefit Moscow while the war continues. Michael Kellner, a lawmaker responsible for German energy policy after the invasion, described the proposal as a potentially damaging agreement for Europe.

"This threatens to be a dirty deal that will cost Europe dearly," he said, adding that "Americans and Russians will share the profits".

Poland's political leadership has also been monitoring discussions about reopening the pipeline but is opposed to the proposal, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with the government's thinking.

Despite the objections, the Trump administration reportedly believes European opposition could soften if the proposal offers substantial reductions in energy prices. Washington sees the restoration of Russian gas supplies, including through Nord Stream, as a possible component of a wider peace agreement that could also ease tensions between Russia and America's European allies.

Nord Stream damage and the question of feasibility

Reviving Russian gas supplies through Ukraine and reopening Nord Stream are two separate challenges. The first could potentially be restarted more quickly, while the second would require significant repairs.

Nord Stream 1 was built by Russia and Germany in 2011 to transport gas directly to Europe while bypassing transit routes through Ukraine. Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 were severely damaged by underwater explosions in 2022, making their restoration a substantial undertaking.

A US official cited in the report said some European leaders were interested in the prospect of significantly lower gas prices, provided any economic arrangement formed part of a comprehensive peace deal.

The Trump administration has also presented the proposal as a way to address the security concerns that surrounded the original Nord Stream projects. A senior US official argued that Merkel had pursued the pipeline without securing a wider arrangement that addressed Russia's security concerns as well.

Separately, a White House official said any agreement on resuming Russian energy sales to the EU would have to be negotiated by Russia with the US International Development Finance Corporation and the Treasury Department. Such an arrangement, the official said, would have to benefit American taxpayers and companies.

Earlier last month, Reuters reported that Kushner viewed business arrangements as an important part of efforts to restore peace in the region.

Can Trump overcome the political and legal obstacles?

It remains unclear how Russian gas sales to Europe could resume while the EU's phase-out legislation is in force. The European Union's regulation provides for a permanent end to Russian gas imports, with the final deadlines falling in 2026 and 2027. Any attempt to restore supplies would therefore face significant legal and political hurdles.

The US could seek to ease its own sanctions or use presidential waiver powers to facilitate an agreement. However, Washington cannot simply overturn the EU's import restrictions, leaving European governments with a central role in determining whether the proposal can proceed.

The political situation in the US could create another obstacle. If Democrats win control of Congress in the midterm elections, efforts to soften sanctions or secure legislative backing for an arrangement could become more difficult.

For now, the proposal remains at the discussion stage. A US official cited by Reuters said a deal was unlikely in the medium term, while Reuters said it could not immediately independently verify the Wall Street Journal's report.

The plan's prospects will depend on whether Washington can reconcile its push for renewed energy trade with Europe's opposition, the EU's legal commitments to phase out Russian gas and the continuing attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine.