The European Union has rejected a proposal reportedly backed by the United States to resume Russian natural gas imports through Ukraine. This decision underscores the EU’s commitment to reducing its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 amid ongoing tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine.
The plan, which involved restoring Russian gas transit through Ukraine with the assistance of an American intermediary, aimed to generate transit revenue for Kyiv while allowing Russia to resume exports to European markets. However, EU officials have expressed strong opposition to the initiative, citing the continued Russian military aggression in Ukraine as a significant barrier to renewed energy cooperation.
The proposal was reportedly discussed by US representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as part of broader negotiations concerning Ukraine’s security and economic recovery. One of the suggested measures involved placing Russian gas revenues in an escrow account in a third country to prevent the funds from directly supporting Moscow’s military activities. Nonetheless, no final agreement has been reached, and significant legal obstacles remain under the EU’s current Russian gas phaseout policy.
According to the EU’s plan, long-term contracts for Russian liquefied natural gas will end from January 2027, with a subsequent ban on long-term pipeline gas supplies by September 2027, subject to limited provisions. Meanwhile, Ukraine ceased Russian gas transit through its territory on January 1, 2025, following the expiration of its existing transit agreement, as Kyiv chose not to renew the arrangement due to concerns over revenue supporting Russia during the conflict.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has also voiced opposition to the idea of restoring Russian gas purchases, advocating instead for stronger sanctions and continued economic pressure on Russia. Discussions between Washington and Moscow have reportedly included broader energy cooperation, such as the potential return of American oil companies to Russia and the revival of certain export routes. However, these proposals face significant political, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges, particularly within Europe.
The EU’s resistance to the proposal highlights the ongoing divide between Washington’s reported efforts to explore economic arrangements with Moscow and Europe’s strategy of reducing its energy dependence on Russia while maintaining pressure over the war in Ukraine.