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The restoration of pipeline deliveries could reportedly form part of a Ukraine peace deal
European Union officials are discussing the possibility of resuming Russian gas imports as part of a potential agreement resolving the Ukraine conflict, according to the Financial Times.
The issue of Russian gas deliveries to the EU has proven contentious for the bloc, especially after Brussels stepped up efforts to reduce dependence on cheap Russian energy following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Officials from Germany and Hungary have argued that resuming imports of Russian could significantly lower the EU’s energy costs and encourage Moscow to engage in negotiations, the FT wrote, citing sources familiar with the matter. They believe that such a move incentivise parties to the conflict to uphold a possible ceasefire.
”There is pressure from some big member states on energy prices and this is one way to bring those down, of course,” one official told the FT.
However, the idea has reportedly “infuriated” officials in Brussels and diplomats from Eastern Europe, traditionally the most outspoken critics of Russia. They cite concern with boosting Moscow’s export revenues and reversing efforts to decrease the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy.
Moscow has also expressed doubt about the feasibility of the reported plan. First deputy chairman of the State Duma Energy Committee Igor Ananskikh told Lenta.ru on Thursday that the EU is unlikely to be prepared to restart purchases of Russian gas in the near future.
The EU has faced a dramatic reduction in Russian gas imports, which previously accounted for 40% of the bloc’s total supply, due to Ukraine-related sanctions and the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. The main conduit for Russian gas to the EU, Nord Stream was built to circumvent the Ukrainian monopoly on transit to the bloc. On January 1, Ukraine stopped the flow of Russian gas through its territory after an agreement with Moscow expired.
The bloc has instead increased imports of more expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries such as the United States and Norway, driving up energy prices. US President Donald Trump previously urged Brussels to purchase more American LNG, threatening tariffs if they did not comply.
High energy prices have significantly impacted the EU economy. The bloc’s economic powerhouse, Germany, saw its economy contract for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to official data.
Slovakia, one of the countries affected by the halt of the gas transit through Ukraine, has accused Kiev of jeopardizing its energy security. Prime Minister Robert Fico has pledged to veto any EU aid to Ukraine if the transit of Russian gas is not resumed.
“In the end, everybody wants lower energy costs,” a senior EU official told the FT.
