Trump's team proposes that Europe buy Russian gas, NYT reports

US President Donald Trump's administration has proposed that Europe resume buying Russian gas.

Source: The New York Times, citing sources

Details: The NYT notes that "a key element in the Trump administration's broad plan for securing peace in Ukraine is a proposal that would turn years of American energy policy upside-down".

Quote: "Europe, the US pitch goes, should resume buying more Russian gas – a move that would be an economic boon for Moscow and give it renewed influence in the region."

Details: The NYT sources familiar with the negotiations said Trump's peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had raised the idea during talks with Ukrainian and European officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv last month.

Quote: "To help entice Russia to end the war in Ukraine, the Americans have argued, Ukraine should consider restarting pipelines that used to carry Russian natural gas to Europe."

Details: European officials involved in the negotiations reacted negatively to the proposal, which would undo years of efforts by the European Union, backed by Washington, to move away from Russian gas. However, Trump's representatives view Russian gas exports as a potential part of a peace settlement, citing "the revenues that would flow to Ukraine" and what they see as "the inevitable desire for cheaper energy by European voters".

Quote: "The disconnect underscores the unusual – and, critics say, fatally flawed – nature of Mr Trump's renewed diplomatic effort to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rather than pressure President Vladimir V. Putin or try to strengthen Ukraine's war effort, the administration has spent significant time exploring economic incentives for Russia and raising them in talks with Europe and Ukraine." [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president – ed.]

Details: The NYT reports that US and Russian officials have been discussing potential business deals since last year, but the prospect of such deals appears to have had little impact on persuading Putin to abandon his core demands. Given how strongly European and Ukrainian leaders oppose a return to dependence on Russian gas, the proposal could further complicate the Trump administration's efforts to end the war.

The White House said in a statement that the war is "driving up energy prices across Europe and creating significant economic hardship in both Russia and Ukraine".

Quote from the White House: "The United States has been working closely with Ukraine and our European partners on a comprehensive peace proposal that includes economic incentives for both Russia and Ukraine as part of a final settlement. Our objective is not simply to end the fighting, but to create the conditions for lasting peace, economic recovery and greater stability across the region."

Background:

• Trump signed an executive order waiving certain sanctions, restrictions and tariffs against Russia provided for under the Graham Act.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the lifting of sanctions against Russia as a "sanctions blackout". However, he believes the legislation could still be used to put pressure on Russia.
• On 16 October, the European Council instructed the European Commission to prepare proposals to cover Ukraine's €70 billion budget shortfall for 2027.

Previously:

• On 9 October, the US Department of the Treasury, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control, issued General Licence No. 135, authorising transactions involving the sale, delivery, unloading and import of Russian-origin diesel fuel.
• On 14 October, a bipartisan group of 12 US senators sent a strongly worded letter to Trump, calling the agreement with Moscow on diesel fuel a "betrayal of the people of Ukraine" and urging him to revoke the licence immediately and fully implement the Graham Act.
• On 15 October, 22 Democrat and Republican members of the US House of Representatives wrote to Trump demanding the full and immediate implementation of the sanctions against Russia provided for under the Graham Act.
• Senator Richard Blumenthal, who helped draft the Graham Act, sharply criticised Trump for refusing to take further steps to put pressure on Russia under the law.
• Kirill Dmitriev, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's chief economic envoy, called Trump's decision not to impose restrictions on Russia under the Graham Act a "historic moment".

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