US Backs Resuming Russian Gas Exports to Europe via Ukraine
Washington reportedly supports quickly restarting pipeline flows as part of efforts to secure a winter energy truce between Kyiv and Moscow.
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The United States has signalled its support for a swift resumption of Russian natural gas exports to Europe via pipelines running through Ukraine, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal quoted by Bulgarian news outlet Mediapool. The proposal is understood to be part of ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia before the onset of winter.
Deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, a major transit route for Russian gas to European markets, were cut off on 1 January 2025 after a long-term transit agreement signed prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine expired. The Journal, citing American, European and Ukrainian officials, reported that Washington views the restoration of these flows as a potential confidence-building measure that could contribute to de-escalation in the energy sector.
The initiative comes at a time when the European Union is preparing to completely halt imports of Russian gas next year. A temporary resumption of supplies would inject a notable volume of gas into European markets, which are particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions during the colder months. No specific timeline for a possible restart has been provided.
Negotiations are still ongoing and no final agreement has been reached. The White House has not publicly outlined the details of the proposal, but officials cited by the Journal indicated that the US is urging both Kyiv and Moscow to consider the measure as a step towards building trust and stabilising energy supplies ahead of winter.
