WSJ: US pitches Russian gas through Ukraine’s pipelines as Moscow’s incentive for an energy truce
Kyiv let Russian transit expire in January 2025. The EU’s full ban on Russian pipeline gas starts in autumn 2027.
In a recent report, The Wall Street Journal revealed that US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff discussed the idea of importing Russian gas through Ukraine's pipelines in September, with an intermediary meant to bypass European sanctions. However, European capitals have shown resistance to the plan, which the Kremlin deems unfeasible for now. Kyiv has yet to comment on the matter.
The proposal aims to trigger an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine before the winter, according to statements from US, European, and Ukrainian officials to the WSJ. The US had previously shelved the idea in October due to Ukraine's reduction of strikes on Russian refineries for nearly two weeks under US pressure, while Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
The resumption of strikes on October 30th has heightened the urgency of the truce push ahead of planned US-Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi in mid-November.
US negotiators believe that returning to Europe's gas market could serve as a powerful incentive for Moscow to agree to the deal, with Kyiv potentially earning transit fees. They argue that Ukrainian investors could benefit from the lucrative opportunity, and the White House has proposed holding the proceeds in a third-country escrow account to prevent funds from funding the conflict. The US has also lifted Russian diesel sales and is reviewing a request to lift sanctions on the Kremlin's investment fund.
However, Europe's own laws stand in the way. The Council regulation adopted on January 26th bans Russian LNG from the beginning of 2027 and pipeline gas from autumn 2027. Europe could potentially shift more easily if Kyiv endorses the gas sales as part of a ceasefire. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on November 2nd that the current situation on the ground makes such plans unfeasible at the moment.
Earlier reports from the talks indicated that The New York Times had reported in October that the envoys had urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider restarting the pipelines to help persuade Russia to end the war. Ukraine had previously halted its transit deal on January 1st, 2025, losing about $1 billion annually in fees.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that this move cut off some of Putin's last leverage over Europe. Ukraine has since cut off more than just Russian gas transit, effectively removing a significant portion of Putin's remaining leverage over Europe, including his use of energy as a weapon.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
