US proposes returning Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine; Brussels opposes
Plan discussed by U.S. negotiators would route Russian gas through Ukraine via a U.S. intermediary, but Brussels opposes it and EU rules complicate implementation.
The United States has proposed resuming deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines as part of talks aimed at securing an energy truce between Moscow and Kyiv before winter. American negotiators discussed the idea in September with a model that would route gas through a U.S. intermediary, creating transit fee revenues for Ukraine and potential commercial opportunities for U.S. investors.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly spoke in September about selling Russian gas via an American middleman. Washington argues that reopening supplies to the European market could encourage Moscow to agree to a halt in attacks on energy infrastructure.
European resistance and existing rules
The proposal faces strong pushback in European capitals. The European Union has already adopted regulation for a gradual phase-out of Russian gas imports, including a full ban on liquefied natural gas from the start of 2027 and a ban on pipeline gas from the autumn of the same year.
Proponents of the initiative say renewed deliveries could help ease high energy prices that have been further driven up by the Middle East conflict, but implementation would require a political agreement and compliance with EU rules. Ukraine stands to gain transit fees under the model, while U.S. investors could win new business.
So far there is no officially confirmed agreement to restart transit; independent checks have not been able to confirm the details of the American initiative.
Photo: press material from the event
