Trump envoys floated resuming Russian gas sales to Europe as Ukraine peace incentive, NYT reports

US President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have raised the idea of Europe resuming purchases of Russian natural gas as part of a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The proposal was floated during talks with Ukrainian and European officials in Miami earlier this month, and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv last month, according to people familiar with the discussions cited by the NYT. The idea would involve restarting pipelines that previously carried Russian gas to Europe, with Ukraine earning transit revenue and Europe gaining access to cheaper energy.

European officials involved in the discussions opposed the proposal, which would undo years of EU efforts — backed by Washington — to cut dependence on Russian energy. The NYT said the plan would turn years of American energy policy upside down, handing Moscow a revenue boost and renewed leverage over the continent.

The White House told the NYT it had “been working closely with Ukraine and European partners on a comprehensive peace plan that includes economic incentives for both Russia and Ukraine,” adding: “The goal is not simply to end the fighting but to create conditions for lasting peace, economic recovery, and stability across the region.”

Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas in January 2025, losing roughly $1 billion a year in transit fees. Russia’s share of EU gas imports has fallen to 13 per cent from 45 per cent in 2021, and the EU has pledged to end Russian gas imports entirely by next year, UNN reported. The story was also carried by ChosunBiz and SBS.