The United States is pushing to resume Russian natural gas exports to Europe through pipelines crossing Ukraine as part of efforts to secure an energy ceasefire before winter, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing U.S., European and Ukrainian officials familiar with the negotiations.
The proposal, raised by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff during September visits to Moscow and Kyiv, would involve selling Russian gas through a U.S. intermediary to navigate European sanctions and restrictions, according to the report.
Under one version of the plan, proceeds from Russian gas sales would be deposited into an escrow account in a third-party jurisdiction to prevent Moscow from using the revenue to finance its war in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official told the newspaper.
Washington has presented the proposal to European governments as a way to lower energy prices while providing Russia with a financial incentive to agree to a ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure.
For Ukraine, reopening the Soviet-era pipeline network that carries Russian gas from Siberia through Ukrainian territory to Slovakia, Austria and Germany could also restore revenue from transit fees.
This picture, taken on August 3, 2018, shows the facility of the Lozenets-Nedyalsko natural gas transit pipeline to Türkiye near the village of Lozenets. (AFP Photo)
Washington revives proposal ahead of Abu Dhabi talks
The proposal initially lost momentum last month after Ukraine temporarily suspended strikes on Russian oil refineries under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Journal reported.
Kyiv halted the attacks for nearly two weeks while Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and began supplying diesel to the United States, according to the report.
Washington subsequently shifted its attention toward efforts to negotiate a broader peace agreement.
However, Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian refineries Friday, striking three major facilities over three days and prompting renewed U.S. efforts to negotiate a wider energy ceasefire.
Three-way talks involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine are planned for mid-November in Abu Dhabi. However, Moscow has so far rejected American efforts to secure an energy ceasefire, according to the newspaper.
U.S. negotiators reportedly believe that restoring Russia’s access to European gas markets could provide President Vladimir Putin with a significant incentive to accept an agreement.
Washington has also discussed the possibility of reopening the Nord Stream pipelines as part of a broader settlement between Russia and the West.
Nord Stream 1 stopped delivering gas in August 2022, while Nord Stream 2 never entered commercial operation. Both pipelines sustained extensive damage in underwater explosions in September 2022 and would require major repairs before operations could resume.
By contrast, the pipeline network crossing Ukraine could be restarted considerably faster, having remained operational until January 2025, nearly three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Russia says its fuel reaches Europe despite restrictions
Separately, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Sunday that Russian petroleum products sometimes reach European markets under different labels despite European Union restrictions.
Asked during an interview with Russian media outlet Vesti about the possibility of European countries purchasing Russian gas through third countries, Novak suggested that similar arrangements already existed in the oil market.
“Such instances are possible because, although Europe has banned the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products, we see that Russian diesel sometimes still appears in Europe under different labels,” he said.
His remarks came as Washington reportedly explored arrangements that could facilitate the resumption of Russian gas supplies to European buyers through an American intermediary.
Moscow warns of historically low European gas reserves
Novak also warned that Europe could face mounting energy challenges during the approaching winter, citing low levels of natural gas in underground storage facilities.
“Currently, gas stocks in underground storage facilities are at historically low levels, and how the Europeans fare through the winter will be a story in itself,” he said.
According to Novak, EU gas storage facilities currently hold approximately 82.1 billion cubic meters, the lowest level recorded since 2013.
He added that the figure was 9.4 billion cubic meters below the level recorded during the same period last year.
The reported U.S. proposal comes as European governments face renewed questions over energy security and the future of Russian gas supplies, while Washington seeks to use energy negotiations to advance broader efforts toward ending the war in Ukraine.
November 02, 2026 09:57 AM GMT+03:00