Russian and European officials said the US is investigating ways of working with energy giant Gazprom In a global project, in a step -by -step for the forging closer ties with the Kremlin while attempting to mediate a peace deal for Ukraine.

European reports conclude that there have been preliminary contacts between US and Russia representatives on the matter, but it is not clear who is leading the talks or whether the Trump government is directly involved, according to people who know the matter. The White House refused to comment on the issue at Bloomberg.

Talks between the US and Russia for possible cooperation with Gazprom are located at an early stageaccording to sources, who asked not to be named.

President Vladimir Putin reported on Thursday in possible US-Russia energy cooperation, telling reporters that It could pave the way for the restoration of supply in Europe.

“If, let’s say, the US and Russia agree on cooperation in the energy sector, then a gas pipeline for Europe could be secured.” Putin said in an update in Moscow. “And that will benefit Europe as it will receive a cheap Russian gas.”

European gas fulfillment contracts decreased by 4.5% after their comments.

President Donald Trump has stated that the US is interested in the idea of ​​cooperation despite US and Europe’s paralytic sanctions in the Russian energy sector dating back to years. These sanctions increased after the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

After talking to Putin last month, Trump posted on Truth Social that the two discussed energy among other issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East and artificial intelligence. Natural resources are also part of the talks with Kiev, as Washington linked efforts for a possible ceasefire with Russia with an agreement on Ukrainian minerals.

Even so a US-Gazprom deal would be a huge turn for Trump, who criticized Europe for its dependence from Russian gas during his first term and overseeed efforts to mass expand the sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in European countries.

Trump threatened to impose even more sanctions on Russia unless he comes to the table with Ukraine, saying in a post on Truth Social last week that “It examines strongly large -scale bank penalties, sanctions and duties in Russia until a ceasefire is achieved and the final agreement on PEACE.”

Earlier this week, the US secured Ukraine’s agreement to cease fire 30 days. In his comments on Thursday, Putin did not categorically reject the idea, but said that “any truce should lead to a long -term peace.”

China, Iran

US-Gazprom energy initiatives could cover Europe and Asia and can be found in a wider US effort to weaken Russia’s links with China and Iran, some of the sources have commented. It would also be in accordance with Trump’s desire to reap the business opportunities that could arise from a peacekeeping agreement to end the war in Ukraine, which, he said, is a top priority.

Foreign Minister Marko Rubio said last month that Washington wants to limit the links between Russia and China without “sowing division”. Rubio warned that the closer relationships between neighbors with nuclear weapons would cause a problem for the US – if Moscow becomes Beijing’s “permanent junior partner”.
European officials have said they doubt that the Trump government would be able to “wedge” Russia and China, given how close the two countries have come after the invasion of Ukraine. They added that many of the ideas discussed about Gazprom and energy related are still “in the case of cases”.

Nord stream

Gazprom wishes the US to help restart Nord Stream gas pipelines, extending from the Baltic Sea from Russia to the German coast, after a sabotage in 2022, two sources said.

Russia has delivered gas to Europe via Nord Stream before the invasion of Ukraine. After Gazprom reduced and later stopped flows at the beginning of the war, the conductor was damaged alongside one of the Nord Stream 2 lines in a mysterious attack.

An American entrepreneur seeks to acquire the Swiss operating company that controls Nord Stream 2, according to media reports in late last year, which he would give to the US percentage in the project.

Putin has repeatedly stated that his country is ready to resume gas flows to Europe through the intact section of Nord Stream 2, but the decision will eventually be taken in Germany, which supports Ukraine. Germany was one of the countries most affected by Nord Stream interruption, as gas prices rose and part of the country’s industry was led to a definitive closure.

The European Union and the Trump government have discussed the possibility that bloc companies will import more LNG than the US as an attempt to relieve the tensions that exist in trade. However, several EU states are skeptical of this perspective, given the uncertainty about Trump’s approach to Ukraine and Europe – and any agreement with Gazprom would further raise these concerns.

The EU has been trying to “get rid of” Russian gas since the war began and Gazprom cut Nord Stream flows. There are reduced supplies only through Turkstream, which connects Russia and Turkey through the Black Sea.

The “Achilles heel” of Europe is LNG. Despite appeals for sanctions, Europe still buys Russian LNG record quantities, mainly from the Yamal plant of Novatek. This shows how difficult it is for Europe to cut its links with Russia, which has been established in the last decade as a key supplier of goods in Epirus.

Gazprom could provide the US in the US participation in joint ventures in the Arctic region and offshore projects such as the liquefied natural gas project in Sahalin – if sanctions that limit foreign investment, one of the sources said.

The Trump government has so far given mixed messages about Russian sanctions. He has pointed out that they should remain in force until a peace agreement is agreed between Russia and Ukraine, and even threatened with new restrictions if Moscow does not come to the table.

However, the US has prevented the G7 allies from tightening several existing energy sanctions. European officials have said they expect the Trump government to provide exceptions by allowing some investment and transactions if the peace talks proceed.