EU debates resuming Russian gas purchases amidst conflict
Officials in Brussels are considering the possibility of resuming the purchase of Russian gas through the EU, "Financial Times" reports, citing sources familiar with EU negotiations. This would form part of a potential agreement intended to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
The British newspaper writes that supporters of buying Russian gas argue that it could lower high energy prices in Europe, encourage Moscow to negotiate, and prompt both sides to implement and maintain a ceasefire.
According to "FT" sources, this proposal has backing in Berlin and Budapest.
One of the newspaper's sources said that some large member countries were pressuring about energy prices and that this was a way to cut them.
However, this idea, while still in its early stages, is encountering resistance from Ukraine's closest allies in the EU.
- It’s madness. How stupid could we be to even think about that as an option - an official from one of the Eastern European countries told the newspaper.
"FT" notes that the resurgence of the debate in the EU about purchasing Russian gas could also pose a challenge for the USA, which is keen to increase LNG exports to Europe.
The share of LNG from Russia in the EU dropped to 5 per cent
Even before assuming office, Donald Trump warned the EU that it must commit to purchasing significant quantities of American oil and gas, otherwise he would impose tariffs on the Community.
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia supplied about 40 per cent of the natural gas used in the EU. By 2024, this share had decreased to 10 per cent, and at the beginning of 2025 - with the cessation of transit of Russian resources through Ukraine - it fell to 5 per cent. The last operating pipeline connecting Russia and the EU is TurkStream, which supplies about 7.5 billion cubic metres of gas annually to Hungary.
