US and Russia Discuss Returning Russian Gas to Europe

According to Reuters, citing informed sources, senior US and Russian officials—including advisor to the Russian president Kirill Dmitriev and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—are discussing the possibility of returning Russian gas to the European market. Kushner, acting as a mediator on Ukraine settlement, believes major business can be the key to lasting peace. It is suggested that after the conflict ends, US investors could profit from energy transit to the EU.

The White House emphasized that such agreements must be approved by the US Treasury and the US International Development Finance Corporation, and must directly benefit American companies and taxpayers.

Key obstacles to the deal:

▪️ Restoring pipeline operations is currently illegal, as they are under strict US and EU sanctions.

▪️ Germany, Poland, and Baltic states strongly oppose resuming energy cooperation with Moscow. German MP Michael Kellner called it a 'dirty deal' where the US and Russia would share profits while Europe loses. US officials assess that the project is unlikely to materialize in the medium term.

Separately, parties discussed the sale of Lukoil's European assets (including refineries and gas stations). The plan involves their purchase by a consortium including the UAE, Qatar, and US DFC in exchange for Washington lifting sanctions.