The Trump administration’s push to end the war in Ukraine is running into a new flashpoint after peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff floated the idea Saturday that Europe could restart purchases of Russian natural gas as part of a settlement.
Russian Natural Gas For Europe
According to a New York Times report, Kushner and Witkoff raised the gas concept in discussions with Ukrainian and European officials, including a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv last month.
The discussions included the possibility of restarting pipelines that previously carried Russian gas through Ukraine into Europe.
The proposal lands as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s Russia sanctions waiver after a Friday executive order tied to the Graham Act, a move that drew bipartisan blowback on Capitol Hill.
Schumer said Trump’s decision amounted to a benefit for Vladimir Putin, and wrote on X that “Americans need relief from skyrocketing prices” while arguing “there’s nothing America First” about the move.
Europe Pushes Back
European counterparts have pushed back sharply on reopening that channel, according to The New York Times report, because it would reverse years of European Union policy aimed at cutting dependence on Russian supply. The White House, in a statement, said the war was “driving up energy prices across Europe and creating significant economic hardship in both Russia and Ukraine.”
Europe’s import mix has already shifted, with Russian gas accounting for 13% of E.U. gas imports last year versus 45% in 2021. Still, people familiar with the talks said Trump officials believe European voters will keep pressuring leaders for lower energy costs, making Russian supply tempting if a ceasefire deal emerges.
In Washington, criticism of Trump’s sanctions step spilled across party lines even as his team discussed energy-related incentives in diplomacy. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called the waiver “beyond irresponsible,” and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called it a “craven, cowardly action” after Congress passed the legislation last month.
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