WASHINGTON/KYIV – The United States has floated a proposal to restore deliveries of Russian natural gas through Ukraine to Slovakia and onward to Europe. According to The Wall Street Journal, the move is part of a US-led effort to broker an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine. The plan envisages American intermediaries involved in trading the gas, with Russian revenue placed in a special account. However, the proposal faces resistance from European officials and is at odds with European Union rules. No agreement has been reached so far.
Details published on Monday, November 2, 2026, suggest that the administration of President Donald Trump is once again seeking to link energy interests with talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
For Slovakia, a possible deal would mean a return to a pipeline route that was once among the main arteries for gas imports.
The main question will be whether Ukraine, Russia and European consumers are willing to endorse the plan and overcome its legal hurdles.
US officials seek to reopen gas transit via Ukraine
The Wall Street Journal reports that the proposal was put forward by US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Talks on the possible resumption of pipeline deliveries reportedly took place during their visits to Moscow and Kyiv in September.
The aim is to reutilize existing pipeline infrastructure that formerly transported Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia.
From Slovakia, the gas could then be shipped to additional European countries.
According to the paper, US officials believe the route could also help supply parts of Austria and Germany.
The initiative goes beyond a simple Slovakia–Russia energy arrangement.
Washington is using the renewal of transit as part of broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
A similar initiative was discussed earlier in the article Trump proposed Europe return to Russian gas as part of a peace deal.
American intermediaries would handle Russian gas sales
The most notable aspect of the proposal is the US role in facilitating gas sales.
Sources cited by The Wall Street Journal indicate that American intermediary companies would buy or sell the Russian gas.
This would create a new commercial model, with Washington involved not only in diplomacy but also in the energy trade through US business entities.
For US investors, the deal could present financial opportunities.
So far, none of the companies potentially involved have been named.
Details such as the expected gas price, total volumes and intermediary fees have not been disclosed.
The involvement of a US entity would not in itself remove EU sanctions. Any model must comply with current legislation or require legal amendments.
Russian revenues could be held in a special account
The US proposal also suggests a way to handle Russian earnings from gas sales.
The Wall Street Journal reports funds destined for Russia may be deposited in an escrow account in a third country.
The aim is to prevent Moscow from immediately using these funds to finance military operations.
Access to the money would depend on the terms agreed in any future deal.
It is not yet clear who would manage the account, how the use of funds would be monitored, or under what circumstances they could be released.
Without these details, it is impossible to assess whether the proposed system would actually stop Russia from using energy revenues to fund the war.
Ukraine could earn transit revenues again
Restarting gas shipments would also have implications for Ukraine.
The country previously earned income from transit fees for Russian gas headed to Europe.
After the previous transit contract ended, pipeline deliveries stopped in early January 2025.
Kyiv had refused to continue under the old cooperation model with Moscow during the Russian invasion.
The US proposal foresees Ukraine once again benefiting financially from gas transit.
This revenue could help maintain and operate the country’s gas infrastructure.
Yet the plan is not without controversy.
Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian aggression, and resuming energy trade with the aggressor could raise security and moral concerns.
Kyiv has not yet announced a decision on the new proposal.
Why is Trump offering Putin a way back to the European market?
According to The Wall Street Journal, US negotiators see the restoration of gas sales as a possible incentive for Vladimir Putin.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost much of its share in the European energy market.
Resuming larger gas volumes could bring Moscow both new income and renewed economic ties.
Washington is seeking to leverage this prospect as part of negotiations to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
The thinking is that the promise of economic benefits could contribute to a broader ceasefire.
However, there is no confirmation that Putin has accepted such an offer.
It is also unknown what additional conditions Russia might demand.
Slovakia still receives Russian gas via a different route
Restoring Ukrainian transit would not mean the return of Russian gas to Slovakia after a long break.
Slovakia and Hungary continue to receive Russian gas via a southern route, through pipelines such as TurkStream.
This system allows delivery via the Black Sea and southeastern Europe.
The traditional Ukraine route has, however, held unique importance for Slovakia.
The country has long served as a major transit hub, sending Russian gas to Western European markets.
Restoring this transport could affect not just gas availability but also the use of Slovakia’s pipeline capacities.
Slovak diplomacy has raised the topic of energy relations with Russia at the highest level. Details were covered in the article Blanár met Lavrov in Moscow. Russia announced new agreements with Slovakia.
Brussels voices strong objections
The biggest barrier to the US proposal is the stance of the European Union.
After Russia’s invasion, Brussels introduced measures to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
EU rules call for a gradual phase-out of Russian gas imports, with a ban on pipeline supplies set to take full effect in autumn 2027.
Restarting major shipments via Ukraine would run counter to the EU’s current energy policy.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen expressed distrust in Russia as an energy partner in October.
European officials warn that renewed reliance on Moscow could once again expose the continent to energy blackmail in the future.
However, according to the newspaper, US negotiators believe European governments may reconsider if the energy market situation gets worse.
So far, this remains only an American assumption, with no confirmed shift in EU policy.
European gas prices surge
The US proposal comes amid soaring natural gas prices.
By late October, European wholesale prices approached €100 per megawatt-hour.
Factors driving the market include interruptions in LNG supply from the Middle East, shipping constraints, and declining European storage levels.
The onset of winter is another contributing factor.
High prices are pushing up costs for industry, electricity producers and, eventually, households.
We covered this trend in the article Gas in Europe rises sharply: Price nears €100, Putin issues warning.
US officials believe the price spike could make some European countries more interested in extra supply.
However, this does not guarantee lower bills for Slovak households if Russian transit resumes.
Europe still not free of Russian gas
Despite years of sanctions and investments in alternatives, Russia remains a supplier of natural gas to Europe.
In addition to pipeline gas, Europe continues to import Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
In June 2026, Russian LNG imports to the EU rose 14 percent year-on-year, according to previous data.
This indicates that European energy markets remain linked to Russian exports.
More detailed figures were published in the article Europe remains tied to Russian gas as LNG imports jump 14 percent.
What matters most is not just the overall supply of gas.
Transport capacity, storage options, and purchase prices all play key roles for buyers.
Nord Stream pipeline restoration also under consideration
The Wall Street Journal also reports that the possible restoration of pipeline flows via Nord Stream is being discussed.
The pipelines linked Russia and Germany through the Baltic Sea.
In September 2022, explosions disabled major sections of the infrastructure.
Restarting Nord Stream would require technical repairs, financial investment, and political as well as legal decisions.
There is no reason to expect Nord Stream to become fully operational again anytime soon.
Furthermore, there is no confirmation that Germany or the EU support reviving the pipeline.
What would the deal mean for Slovak households?
If Russian gas flows via Ukraine are restored, additional volumes could, in theory, reach the European market.
A bigger supply might put downward pressure on wholesale prices if demand remains unchanged.
But this is not a guaranteed outcome.
Pricing also depends on transit fees, contractual arrangements, competition among buyers, and international market conditions.
In addition, regulatory decisions and supplier contracts are key factors for Slovak households.
At this time, there is no way to confirm that the US proposal will lead to cheaper gas for Slovakia.
Accurate estimates would require more information about volumes, prices, and the terms for sales to local customers.
Readers can follow the latest developments in energy, Slovakia’s economy, and international negotiations on our discussion platform Aktualizovane.sk at stretnisa.online.
What must be resolved before gas can flow via Ukraine again?
The US proposal remains under negotiation.
Several key issues would have to be addressed for the plan to move forward:
- Ukraine’s consent: Kyiv would have to approve resuming transit across its territory.
- Russia’s position: Moscow would need to agree to supply terms and any energy truce.
- EU rules: Transactions would need to comply with EU law.
- Financing: Contracting parties would have to agree on payments and oversight of Russian revenues.
- Transit conditions: Pipeline operators would need to confirm technical and commercial readiness.
- Buyers: European gas companies would need to express interest in signing contracts.
Without solving these issues, a political accord alone would not be enough.
Could the US plan bring peace closer?
According to available information, Washington aims to use economic incentives to reach an energy truce.
Renewed gas transit could bring revenues to Ukraine, business opportunities to US firms, and additional supply for European buyers.
For Russia, it could mean a return to a market it largely lost after invading Ukraine.
On the other hand, the plan might relieve economic pressure on Moscow without assurances it will cease attacks.
This is why European officials remain skeptical.
Ultimately, any deal would need to ensure genuine limits on fighting and respect Ukraine’s security interests.
The US plan could reopen a historic gas route through Slovakia. However, there is still no signed agreement, timeline for resuming flows, or confirmed price.
We will continue to follow developments in energy negotiations on Aktualizovane.sk at the stretnisa.online community, where readers are welcome to join the discussion.
Sources: Pravda, ČTK, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg.
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
