Financial Times: the EU calls on Russia to the world. Conditions and consequences

European officials discuss whether to resume pumping Russian natural gas Through the pipeline in EU Within the framework of a possible agreement on the termination of war against Ukraine, reports Financial Times On Thursday, referring to sources familiar with negotiations.

Supporters of the purchase of Russian gas claim that this will help reduce high energy prices in Europe, prompt Moscow to sit down at the negotiating table and give both parties a reason to observe and maintain Armistry.

Inflation Strongly hit the EU Especially by German industryAnd therefore, they are ready to offer Russia their wallets for re -purchase of the necessary volumes of gas.

However, Russia, which is gradually becoming less dependent on gas sales in the EU, requires recognition of annexation Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson, lifting sanctions and unlocking 300 billion euros, which are under arrest and are Russian assets. If these conditions are accepted, the war can end, and Europeans will be able to buy cheap Russian gas again.

However, raising the issue of resuming Russian gas supplies to Europe, even in preliminary negotiations, has already caused a reaction among the closest allies of Ukraine in the EU. Three officials familiar with negotiations said that the idea was approved by German and Hungarian officials, with the support of other capitals who see this way to reduce European energy costs.

“There are pressure from some large member states regarding energy prices, and this is one of the ways to reduce them”– said one of the officials. The resumption of exports to Europe will significantly increase Moscow income. Before the war, gas flows through pipelines from Russia made up about 40% of the total supply to the EU, while Germany was the largest importer.

Donald Trump demanded that the war “Come on soon” What caused discussions among Western leaders about the necessary conditions to achieve a sustainable agreement with Moscow. The US President also threatened the EU duties if they do not buy more liquefied natural gas from America, which is much more expensive than gas, which had previously received pipelines.

The raising the issue of resuming sales from Russia through pipelines caused anger among Brussels officials and some Baltic diplomats, many of which have been tried for the last three years to reduce the volume of Russian energy imported into the block.

“This is madness, – said one of the officials. – How stupid can we be to consider this as an option? ”

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said on Wednesday that “The cessation of the hot phase of the war is critical. Diplomatic decisions are preferable – less losses, fewer victims “. His office did not respond to a request for a comment on discussing the resumption of the purchase of Russian gas.

The declared purpose of the EU is to free the energy system of the block from all Russian fossil fuels until 2027. The EU Commissioner for Energy should present a plan for achieving this goal in March.

However, the difficult situation of European industry increases the need of European countries for cheaper energy. The cost of gas in Europe is usually three to four times higher than in the USA. The gas coming from Russia amounted to about 10% of the total supply in 2024, but since the transit contract has expired in January, which allowed the flow to the EU through Ukraine, it has doubled.

The only remaining pipeline supplies Russian gas to the unit is Turkstream Through Turkey, which provides Hungary by about 7.5 billion cubic meters of gas.

Budapestalong with the government SlovakiaIt insists that the EU put pressure on Ukraine to resume gas transit. “Ultimately, everyone wants to reduce energy costs”– said a senior EU official.

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