US proposes restart of Nord Stream as part of peace deal with Russia

The United States is proposing that Russian gas supplies to Europe and the operation of the Nord Stream pipeline be resumed as an economic incentive for Moscow as part of a potential peace settlement to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Source: The Economist

Details: The Economist describes the gas proposal as the latest concession Washington is offering Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, do not yet know all the details of the latest US proposals.

The magazine reports that Russia would be offered commercial deals with US companies, sanctions relief and the normalisation of political relations. Ukraine would be offered an investment package and EU membership in exchange for abandoning its bid to join NATO. The proposals also envisage the creation of a demilitarised zone in Donbas.

The Economist stresses that the US cannot unilaterally decide to restore Russian gas supplies to the European market. It assesses that such a proposal would run counter to EU law.

Ukrainian negotiators fear that US representatives could strike lucrative economic deals with Russia even before the war ends.

The Economist itself questions Moscow's willingness to make peace. It assesses that Russia is likely to drag out the negotiations while securing immediate concessions on sanctions.

The renewed diplomatic push comes after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited St Petersburg on 21 October, The Economist notes.

Background: On 18 October, it was reported that the Trump administration had proposed that Europe resume purchases of Russian gas. According to The New York Times, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff raised the idea during talks with Ukrainian and European officials.

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