The U.S. administration is backing a swift resumption of Russian natural gas exports to Europe through pipelines crossing Ukraine, as part of negotiations aimed at securing an energy-sector truce before winter, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The proposal was discussed in September by U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff during visits to Moscow and Kyiv, according to the source cited. The plan would involve selling Russian gas through an American company to circumvent restrictions imposed by European sanctions.
Washington believes that restoring Russia’s access to the European gas market could give the Kremlin an incentive to agree to a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and, eventually, broader peace talks. At the same time, Ukraine would benefit from transit fees charged for transporting gas through its pipeline network.
Sources cited by the American publication say White House officials have even proposed placing Russia’s gas sales revenues in an escrow account—an account managed by a neutral third party, usually a bank or financial institution, where funds are held until certain agreed conditions are met (editor’s note)—to prevent the money from being used to finance the war.
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