Gas Games Begin: Inside the Covert US-Russia Push to Bring Kremlin Fuel Back to Europe

In a surprising development, US and Russian officials are holding discreet talks on potentially restoring Russian gas supplies to Europe, sources say-a move that could dramatically impact the continent’s energy security and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Confidential Negotiations:

US and Russian officials are discussing ways for the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, which have collapsed since the Ukraine conflict. The negotiations purportedly include US investors as the middlemen who buy Russian gas and sell it to European purchasers, thereby evading direct transactions between EU countries and Russia.

 

Peace Process Link:

Insiders say the prospective gas deal is connected to wider Ukraine peace talks, with Russian access to gas being presented as a potential incentive for de-escalation. Russia wants to regain lost export revenues, while a few EU nations are still interested in lower-energy supplies.

 

EU Resistance:

The European Commission is urging prohibiting new Russian gas deals by the end of 2025 and phasing out current ones by 2027, in order to prioritize energy independence and stem Kremlin revenues. Although the vast majority of EU leaders, particularly in Germany and Brussels, strongly resist any going back to Russian gas, Hungarians and Slovaks are more open.

 

Practical Challenges

Stripped pipelines, constant legal battles, and security issues make resumption in the near term difficult. The sole workable transit route is through Ukraine's pipelines, which is still politically contentious.

 

Market Impact:

A revival of Russian gas would reduce European prices but ignite heated controversy about reliance on Moscow. The EU will discuss next month its phase-out plan.

 

This backroom diplomacy may rechart Europe's energy future but is confronted with enormous political and practical challenges.

 

Source: Reuters, CNBC, Euronews