EU floating idea of returning to gas purchases from Russia as part of peace deal – FT

European Union member states are discussing the possibility of resuming Russian gas imports through pipelines as part of a potential peace settlement to end the Russo-Ukrainian war, according to a report by Financial Times.

Proponents argue that the move could lower high energy prices in Europe, incentivize Russia to negotiate, and provide both sides with a reason to maintain a ceasefire.

However, the idea has sparked backlash among Ukraine’s closest EU allies, with some officials calling it "madness."

"How stupid could we be to even think about that as an option?" one bureaucrat told the newspaper.

Support for the proposal has come from some German and Hungarian officials, as well as other countries seeking to reduce energy costs.

"There is pressure from some big member states on energy prices and this is one way to bring those down, of course," a source told Financial Times.

Before the full-scale invasion, Russian gas accounted for about 40% of EU imports, with Germany being the largest buyer.

This figure has since dropped to 10%, and after the expiration of Ukraine’s transit contract on January 1, 2025, it halved again.

The only remaining pipeline supplying Russian gas to the EU is TurkStream, which provides Hungary with approximately 7.5 billion cubic meters annually. Hungary and Slovakia’s pro-Russian government have pressured the EU to push Ukraine to resume gas transit.

The EU’s official goal is to phase out all Russian fossil fuels by 2027, but high energy prices are straining European heavy industry.

"In the end, everybody wants lower energy costs," a senior EU official said.

Ukraine has refused to extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, citing concerns that gas sales fund Russia’s war efforts. However, it remains open to transporting non-Russian gas, such as from Azerbaijan.

On January 27, the European Commission promised Hungary and Slovakia continued gas negotiations with Ukraine in exchange for extending sanctions against Russia.