Politico: Europe fears Trump will return Russian gas to EU for peace in Ukraine

There is growing concern in Eastern Europe that U.S. President Donald Trump may offer Russia large-scale concessions and economic agreements in exchange for ending the war in Ukraine. About this writes Politico.

This, according to diplomats and experts, could destroy the US-European energy alliance, which replaced Russian gas with American gas after 2022.

The history of this alliance began back in 2013, when American lobbyist Fred Hutchison and Lithuanian diplomat Simonas Šatjūnas initiated cooperation between the embassies of Eastern and Central European countries and the US gas industry to reduce dependence on Russia.

After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and especially after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU sharply increased its imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG).

By 2023, the United States had become the world's largest gas exporter, with Europe as the main buyer.

However, now the region fears that Trump may change course.

Although Trump is publicly calling on Europe to buy more American gas, Brussels and Washington are discussing the risks that the White House under his leadership will make a "peace deal" with Putinwhich will provide for the easing of sanctions and the return of Russian gas to the European market.

At the same time, the Trump administration is pressuring EU countries, especially in Eastern Europe, to ease climate regulations, particularly on reducing methane emissions, which make it difficult for American gas exporters to operate.

In the Baltic states, Poland, and Northern Europe, they insist on a final break with Russian gas. But in some EU countries, particularly in Germany, there are already voices that suggest a return to cheaper Russian fuel is possible in order to restore industry.

• on July 28, the US President said that he is "not so interested" in talking to Putin anymore, since Russia is killing civilians in Ukraine with its attacks.
• Trump shortens his 50-day ultimatum to Putin: he now gives the dictator "10 or 12 days" to conclude a peace deal, otherwise, secondary duties will be applied to buyers of Russian resources.
• on July 29, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said that, despite this ultimatum, Russia is not going to end the war against Ukraine.
• In response, the head of the OP Yermak called for peace through strength. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy said that Kyiv is actively working with partners to in the coming weeks to coordinate sanctions as much as possible and "increase the cost of war for the aggressor".