U.S. pushes plan to restore Russian gas flows to Europe through Ukraine using American intermediary despite European opposition

The Trump administration is pushing to restart Russian natural gas exports to Europe through Ukraine as part of efforts to secure an energy ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The proposal, discussed by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff during visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September, would sell Russian gas through an American intermediary, potentially creating opportunities for U.S. investors while restoring transit revenue for Ukraine.

U.S. negotiators believe allowing Russia back into the European gas market could give President Vladimir Putin a powerful financial incentive to agree to a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.

The Soviet-era pipeline network running from Siberia through Ukraine remains intact and could resume deliveries relatively quickly. Russian gas transit through Ukraine stopped at the beginning of 2025 after a five-year agreement expired and Kyiv declined to renew it.

Washington has also proposed placing Russia’s proceeds from the gas sales in an escrow account in a third country to prevent Moscow from using the revenue to finance its war, according to a senior U.S. official cited by the Journal.

The plan would simultaneously provide Ukraine with badly needed transit fees and could reduce European energy prices as the continent enters winter with gas reserves at their lowest seasonal level in several years.

European governments, however, remain strongly opposed to restoring dependence on Russian energy.

The European Union has committed to ending Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, and European officials argue that restarting large-scale purchases would reverse years of efforts to sever the bloc’s energy dependence on Moscow.

The U.S. proposal would therefore require overcoming significant political and legal obstacles in Europe. No European government has agreed to the arrangement, and Russia has so far rejected U.S. attempts to secure the proposed energy ceasefire.

The initiative has regained urgency after Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries while Moscow continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Washington hopes to secure an energy agreement ahead of planned trilateral talks involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi later this month.