Trump reportedly considers return of Russian gas via Ukraine
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Donald Trump’s envoys reportedly defended in Moscow and Kyiv a plan to resume Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine, with an American intermediary. The proposal would add to US measures easing pressure on Moscow since October, according to officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly proposed transporting Russian gas to Europe through Ukraine, via an American intermediary, the Wall Street Journal reported on 2 November 2026. US, European and Ukrainian officials quoted anonymously by the newspaper said the idea was put forward in Moscow and then Kyiv in September. The White House reportedly suggested placing the proceeds in a blocked account in a third country.
The proposal would add to several US measures concerning Russian exports. On 9 October, Donald Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin aimed at returning hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Russian diesel to the global market. A Treasury licence subsequently authorised these transactions, including to the United States, until 7 April 2027.
On 11 October, Trump proclaimed an energy ceasefire, but Russia continued its strikes, according to an account reported by La Nouvelle Tribune. On 16 October, the US president suspended by decree the sanctions and tariffs provided for under the Graham law, enacted on 18 September. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had described the diesel agreement as ‘a weak decision by a strong partner’ and predicted that the easing of sanctions would continue.
European gas stocks are about 75% full, while Russia supplies 11% of the gas consumed in Europe, compared with 45% before the war, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.
