U.S. and Russian officials have discussed potential business arrangements involving the Nord Stream gas pipelines, including the possibility of bringing a U.S. investor into the project, according to people familiar with the talks cited by Reuters.
The discussions come as Washington and Moscow explore ways to link economic cooperation with efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The talks have reportedly involved U.S. Special Envoy Jared Kushner and Russian official Kirill Dmitriev.
Any attempt to restart Russian gas flows through Nord Stream would face major legal and political obstacles. The pipelines and Russian energy activities remain subject to U.S. and European sanctions, while Germany has repeatedly emphasized the diversification of its gas supplies since the suspension of Russian deliveries.
Germany’s Economy and Energy Ministry has said Russian gas and Nord Stream are sanctioned in Europe and that Germany has developed alternative supply routes. A reopening of the pipelines would require government approval and is not currently desired by Berlin.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany relied heavily on Russian pipeline gas. The Nord Stream pipelines were subsequently taken out of operation after underwater explosions in September 2022.
The reported discussions therefore touch not only on energy and investment but also on European security, sanctions policy and the future of Europe’s energy relationship with Russia.
