The diplomatic initiative, discussed during September trips to Moscow and Kyiv by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, aims to set the stage for three-way talks in Abu Dhabi. To protect against wartime abuses, the arrangement proposes placing gas sales revenue into escrow to prevent funding Russia's military campaign. Despite these proposed safeguards, European officials and Moscow have both pushed back against resurrecting the energy trade. The negotiations also follow a temporary, American-prompted pause in Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries that has since broken down.
Key points
Washington is attempting to use European market access to broker a broader wartime energy…: Washington is attempting to use European market access to broker a broader wartime energy deal ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
European officials, including EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, firmly oppose reopeni…: European officials, including EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, firmly oppose reopening pipelines to Russian supplies regardless of peace prospects.
The proposed structure seeks to benefit Ukraine through transit fees while using escrow a…: The proposed structure seeks to benefit Ukraine through transit fees while using escrow accounts to withhold revenue from Russia's military.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The US is exploring a plan to bring Russian natural gas back into the European market through pipelines crossing Ukraine, in a bid to secure an energy truce between Moscow and Kyiv before winter. The proposal is part of wider efforts to advance peace negotiations, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials from the US, Europe and Ukraine.
The arrangement could see a US intermediary handle the sale of Russian gas, potentially bypassing European sanctions while giving American investors a stake in the business. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff raised the proposal during their visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September, people familiar with the discussions told the WSJ.
The idea faces a major obstacle: Europe's stated policy of ending its reliance on Russian energy. EU legislation requires member states to phase out all Russian natural gas purchases by the end of 2027. Several European leaders have also ruled out returning to dependence on supplies from a country they consider a major security threat.
Yet Washington believes the prospect of reopening a lucrative European market could persuade Russian…
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