The United States is backing a quick resumption of Russian natural gas sales to Europe through pipelines running across Ukraine, as part of negotiations on an energy ceasefire before winter, the Wall Street Journal reported on November 2, 2026, citing US, European and Ukrainian officials.
A US intermediary
Under the idea, Russian gas would be sold through an American intermediary to get around European sanctions. People who attended the discussions said this could create a lucrative opportunity for US investors.
Raised by Kushner and Witkoff
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff first raised the plan during trips to Moscow and Kyiv in September. US negotiators believe a Russian return to Europe’s gas market would give Vladimir Putin an incentive to agree to an energy truce, while Ukraine would earn transit fees from the Soviet-era pipeline network carrying gas from Siberia’s Urengoi fields.
Shelved and revived
The plan was shelved last month after Ukraine paused strikes on Russian refineries under pressure from Washington. Ukraine resumed those strikes on October 30, hitting three refineries in three days. Three-way talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine are planned for mid-November in Abu Dhabi.
European resistance
The proposal runs against EU efforts to end dependence on Russian gas. Brussels said in late October that the Nord Stream pipeline would not reopen after the war.
Sources
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