US Pushes to Resume Russian Gas Sales to Europe Amid NATO Anxieties
The Trump administration is pushing to resume Russian gas deliveries to Europe to secure an energy ceasefire, despite strong opposition from EU capitals. Simultaneously, NATO diplomats fear US midterm losses could trigger troop withdrawals and a major policy shift.
The Trump administration is advancing a proposal to resume Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines, aiming to broker an energy ceasefire with Moscow. Led by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, the plan seeks to bypass European sanctions by channeling the gas through a US intermediary, with revenues deposited in a third-party escrow account to prevent the Kremlin from funding its war effort.
European Resistance and Energy Pressures
European nations strongly oppose restoring energy dependence on Russia, citing legislation that aims to phase out Russian imports entirely by the end of 2027. However, the US administration believes surging energy costs—exacerbated by the war in Iran and depleted European gas reserves currently at 75% capacity—may soften this resistance. Analysts note that if Ukraine supports the transit as part of a deal to protect its own energy infrastructure, European consensus could potentially shift.
NATO Concerns Over US Midterm Elections
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources within NATO warn that a potential Republican defeat in the upcoming US midterm elections could provoke a harsh response from President Donald Trump, leading him to pivot aggressively toward foreign policy. Officials fear this could result in the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Europe, cuts to military aid for Ukraine, and deeper diplomatic alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
