U.S. and Russian officials have discussed bringing American investors into the Nord Stream gas pipelines and potentially restoring Russian gas exports to Europe, even as the Ukraine war continues and European governments oppose a restart.
The discussions reportedly involve Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy, and Kirill Dmitriev, a senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Five people familiar with the matter said the issue remains on the agenda, although it is unclear how extensively it was discussed during recent meetings in Moscow and New York. A possible agreement could allow U.S. companies to profit from future energy shipments to Europe after the war, while helping Russia regain access to a major gas market.
The White House said any deal would require negotiations with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Treasury Department and would need to benefit American taxpayers and companies. However, a White House official also said there had been no recent discussions specifically about Nord Stream. The proposal faces significant legal and political barriers because the pipelines and Russian gas remain under U.S. and European sanctions.
Germany says it has replaced Russian gas supplies and does not want Nord Stream reopened, while other European countries are expected to resist renewed dependence on Moscow. A U.S. official said a deal was unlikely in the medium term.