The European Commission has ruled out resuming large-scale imports of Russian natural gas into Europe amid reports that the United States has proposed doing so as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Analysts warn that restoring Russian pipeline gas deliveries could oversupply global markets and undercut the US’ push to export more liquefied natural gas to Europe.
Washington has reportedly suggested that the European Union increase purchases of Russian gas despite the bloc’s decision to phase out all imports of the fuel from Russia by the end of 2027. The proposal is part of Washington’s push to end the war in Ukraine, according to a New York Times report citing sources familiar with the peace talks.
The revival of Russian gas deliveries to Europe is intended as an economic incentive to Moscow to end the war. The US administration reportedly believes this could also generate revenue for Ukraine if it reopens its gas transit pipelines, while providing cheaper energy for EU consumers.
Von der Leyen: The sanctions will stay until Moscow stops the war
However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reiterated that the EU’s energy sanctions against Russia will stay in place until Moscow stops the war.
Paula Pinho, a European Commission spokesperson, has told reporters in Brussels that the EU’s position [on Russian gas imports] remains unchanged.
Pinho recalled that the European Council recently expressed regret over Washington’s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
Undermining the US push to export LNG to Europe
According to an analysis posted by the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University, restoring larger Russian gas imports into Europe would directly contradict Washington’s political campaign to replace Russian pipeline supplies with the US’ LNG.
“This would represent a U-turn in the strategy pursued by the administration so far, which has promoted a concept of energy dominance that includes more US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the EU, notably by pushing for the complete phase-out of Russian gas,” the post reads.
Sassi: Reactivating massive gas pipeline capacity risks oversupplying global markets
Francesco Sassi, a researcher for the energy security unit at the Observatory of International Politics of the Italian Parliament and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, warns that resuming Russian gas supplies to Europe, lifting sanctions on Nord Stream pipelines, and restoring transit through Ukraine would pose strategic risks.
“Reactivating massive pipeline capacity risks oversupplying global markets, crashing gas prices, and directly challenging the core US strategy of American LNG export dominance,” Sassi wrote in a LinkedIn post.