Russia and the US Discuss Restoring Russian Gas Flows to Europe

The issue of restoring Russian gas flows to Europe is being discussed in talks between Russia and the United States, a Kremlin official stated in the state news agency TASS, confirming yesterday’s (8/5/23) exclusive Reuters report. “We are addressing this matter with the Americans,” Interfax news agency conveyed according to senior Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov when asked if the revival of gas supplies from Russia was under discussion. The Russian gas exports to Europe decreased after the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea in 2022. Earlier this year, gas flows through Ukraine stopped as Kiev refused to renew a transit agreement due to the war. However, now, U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for peace in Ukraine, increasing the prospects of easing tensions tied to natural gas. Eight sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that officials from Washington and Moscow have discussed how the U.S. could assist in reviving sales of Russian natural gas to Europe. Sources close to the bilateral discussions noted that establishing an updated role for Moscow in the European Union’s gas market might help solidify a peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.