U.S., Russia Discuss Reviving Nord Stream; Germany Opposes Plan
Reuters reports secret talks involving Trump envoy Jared Kushner and Putin adviser Kirill Dmitriev on bringing a U.S. investor into the damaged pipelines, but Berlin says Russian gas remains sanctioned and it has alternative supplies.
KEY POINTS
- Reuters reports secret U.S.-Russia talks on U.S. investment in Nord Stream pipelines.
- Participants include Trump envoy Jared Kushner and Putin adviser Kirill Dmitriev.
- Germany opposes reactivation, cites EU sanctions and alternative energy supplies.
- Nord Stream pipelines were damaged by explosions in September 2022; sabotage trial starts next week in Hamburg.
- White House says no recent talks on Nord Stream; any deal must benefit U.S. taxpayers.
Senior U.S. and Russian officials, including Jared Kushner and Kirill Dmitriev, have held talks about a potential American investment in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, according to Reuters citing five informed sources. The discussions aim to restart Russian gas flows to Europe once the war in Ukraine ends.
Kushner, who has been mediating for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, views commercial engagement as essential to peace and a way for U.S. investors to profit from future energy flows. Dmitriev has campaigned for resuming Russian gas sales to Germany and met U.S. Energy and Treasury officials last month.
“Any agreement must be negotiated with the DFC and the Treasury and must benefit U.S. taxpayers and companies.”
The German government rejects the plan, noting that Russian gas remains under EU sanctions and that Berlin has secured alternative energy sources. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration opposes reactivation and stresses that any reopening would require German government approval, which has not been sought.
The pipelines, majority-owned by Gazprom, were severely damaged by unexplained explosions in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. Germany's federal prosecutor has charged a Ukrainian national, Serhii K., with war crimes and causing explosions; his trial begins next week in Hamburg.
A White House official told Reuters there have been no recent discussions on Nord Stream, while a separate official said any deal must be negotiated with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and benefit U.S. taxpayers and companies.
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