"This will definitely be about gas": The US proposed resuming the flow of Russian fuel to Europe, according to the NYT
Donald Trump’s special envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, have proposed resuming gas transit from Russia to Europe. According to Washington’s plan, this is intended to serve as an economic incentive for Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
The New York Times reports this.
What is known about the U.S. proposal regarding Russian gas?
U.S. administration officials raised this issue during September meetings in Kyiv with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as in talks with European Union officials.
The White House is counting on Ukraine’s revenue from the resumption of transit and European consumers’ desire to lower energy costs.
European officials have met this initiative with great caution, as it undermines the bloc’s long-standing efforts toward energy independence from Moscow.
Instead of increasing pressure on the Kremlin or stepping up support for Ukraine’s defense, Washington’s new strategy is increasingly relying on economic incentives for the Russian side.
The White House stated that the war has led to a significant rise in energy prices across Europe and created tangible difficulties for both countries.
“The United States is working closely with Ukraine and our European partners on a comprehensive peace plan that includes economic incentives for Russia and Ukraine as part of a final settlement,”
the U.S. administration explains.
Economic Negotiations and Sanctions Relief
Donald Trump has already exempted Moscow from new congressional sanctions and lifted restrictions on the export of Russian diesel fuel.
Vladimir Putin’s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev called the agreements on diesel fuel just the beginning of a large-scale collaboration, announced discussions on projects for nuclear-powered data centers and the sale of Lukoil’s overseas assets.
“I think we’ll be announcing important initiatives in the near future. The ice has finally broken,”
Dmitriev said.
At the same time, the implementation of the gas project could reduce demand for American liquefied natural gas in Europe and strengthen the position of pro-Russian forces on the continent.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in comments to the Financial Times, emphasized that he expects new controversial agreements between Washington and the Kremlin.
The question is, when will the next deal be? Perhaps it will be about gas. It will definitely be about gas,
” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Nord Stream issue and Germany’s resistance
Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas in January 2025, losing nearly $1 billion in annual transit revenues, while the EU has planned a complete phase-out of Russian natural gas.
Despite this, the U.S. is considering the possibility of having its investors join the damaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline or securing a share of future revenues from gas transit.
The strongest opposition to the plan comes from Berlin, where Günter Sautter, security advisor to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has categorically rejected the resumption of cooperation with Russia. German authorities emphasize that even the sale of fuel through intermediaries threatens the continent’s security and reintroduces the risk of energy blackmail.
Robert Habeck, who headed Germany’s Ministry of Economics at the start of the war and led the push to phase out Russian energy sources, warned of the danger of returning to old dependencies.
“Europe, and especially Germany, must never again be dependent on Russian gas, because we have seen just how unreliable Russia has been,”
Robert Habeck emphasized.
As a reminder, on October 16, Trump signed an executive order waiving the sanctions provided for under the Graham Act.
U.S. President Donald Trump considers stated that refraining from imposing new sanctions against Russia is, he said, in the interests of the United States and the world.