Business · Energy & Commodities · 41 mins ago
US backs plan to restart Russian gas flows to Europe via Ukraine
US representatives are pushing to restart Russian gas sales to Europe through pipelines crossing Ukraine.
The idea, raised by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, would have a US intermediary sell the gas to avoid European restrictions.
Russian gas transit through Ukraine stopped after an agreement expired at the end of 2024, and Kyiv declined to renew it.
The proposal comes as the European Union prepares to phase out Russian gas imports next year.
Europe is facing high gas prices and concerns about winter supplies, with the sources linking price pressure to conflict in the Middle East and reporting that German storage was below its target.
The pipelines through Ukraine remain intact, so flows could resume quickly if the plan goes ahead.
The proposal’s future is uncertain, and the sources say it had been shelved before Kyiv resumed attacks on Russian refineries.
The United States is backing a plan to resume Russian natural gas deliveries to Europe through pipelines in Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The proposal, advanced by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would use an American intermediary to sell the gas and an escrow account to hold the proceeds.
The plan is presented as a way to reduce energy prices and support supplies ahead of winter.
Russian gas transit through Ukraine stopped after the transit agreement expired at the end of 2024 and Kyiv refused to renew it.
- Who
- The United States, through envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is promoting the proposal. Russia and Ukraine would be involved in restarting the flows.
- What
- The plan would resume Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine, using an American intermediary and an escrow account.
- When
- The proposal was reported on November 2, 2026. It was raised during visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September, according to Bloomberg HT.
- Where
- Russian gas would flow to Europe through pipelines in Ukraine.
- Why
- The United States has presented the plan as a way to reduce energy prices and support supplies ahead of winter.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine stopped after the transit agreement expired and Kyiv refused to renew it.
US representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff raised the proposal during visits to Moscow and Kyiv.
The proposal was reportedly shelved after Ukraine halted attacks on Russian refineries under pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Kyiv has resumed attacks on Russian refineries, according to Bloomberg HT.
- Proposal
- Restart Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine
- US representatives
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
- Proposed sales arrangement
- An American intermediary and an escrow account
- Transit halt
- The agreement expired at the end of 2024 and Ukraine refused to renew it