European Union representatives are reportedly discussing the possibility of resuming Russian gas imports as part of a potential peace agreement in Ukraine, according to the Financial Times (FT).
The question of Russian gas supplies to the EU has proven contentious for the bloc, particularly since Brussels has intensified efforts to reduce its dependence on cheap Russian energy following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Supporters of the proposal, including representatives from Germany and Hungary, argue that resuming Russian gas imports could lower energy prices in Europe and incentivize Moscow to engage in negotiations, the FT reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. They believe that such a step would create incentives for the conflicting parties to maintain a ceasefire.
“Some big member states are exerting pressure on energy prices and that’s a natural way to do it” a official told the newspaper.
However, the idea has reportedly been met with disapproval by officials in Brussels and diplomats from some Eastern European countries, which have traditionally been the harshest critics of Russia, fearing that the export earnings of Moscow would increase and efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy would be undone.
Russia has expressed doubts about the feasibility of this plan, stating that it is unlikely the EU would be willing to resume the purchase of Russian gas in the near future, said Igor Ananskich, the first deputy head of the Energy Committee of the State Duma, to Lenta.ru on Thursday.
The European Union is facing a drastic decline in Russian gas imports due to the sanctions against Russia and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, which in 2022 was the main route for Russian gas to the EU. As of January 1, Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory, after a agreement with Moscow had expired. Prior to that, the share of Russian gas in the EU’s total supply was around 40 percent.
Instead, the European Union has increased its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like the United States and Norway, which has driven up energy prices. US President Donald Trump had previously urged Brussels to buy more American LNG and threatened tariffs if the EU did not comply.
The high energy prices have had significant impacts on the EU’s economy. Germany, the economic heart of the bloc, recorded a second consecutive year of economic contraction in 2024, according to official data.
Slovakia, one of the countries affected by the disruption of gas transit through Ukraine, has accused Kiev of putting the energy security of its neighboring country at risk. Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced that he will veto any EU aid for Ukraine if the transit of Russian gas is not resumed.