Financial Times: Europe is discussing the restoration of Gazprom's supplies

Officials The EU is discussing the option of resuming full-scale purchases of Russian pipeline gas as part of a potential settlement of the conflict on Ukraine. It is reported by The Financial Times, citing sources.

"Supporters of the purchase of Russian gas argue that this will reduce high energy prices in Europe, encourage Moscow to sit down at the negotiating table and give both sides a reason to implement and maintain a ceasefire," the British edition writes.

The EU's stated goal is to get rid of all Russian fossil fuels by 2027. But, The Financial Time continues, the plight of heavy industry The EU has increased the need for cheaper energy — the cost of gas in Europe is three to four times higher than in the United States.

The idea, which was supported by some German and Hungarian officials, has already caused a negative reaction among Ukraine's closest allies in the EU, many of whom have been working for the last three years to reduce imports of Russian energy carriers into the bloc, the newspaper writes.

"It's crazy," one official told The Financial Times. "How stupid can we be to even think of this as an option?".

In recent years, Gazprom's supplies to Europe have decreased fivefold, but in 2024 the share of Russian gas in total imports to the EU was still high — 19-20%. Since January 1, due to Kiev's unwillingness to extend the transit contract, the transportation of Russian gas through Ukraine has stopped and the Turkish Stream has remained the only route.

All this, coupled with colder winters and periods of calm, has led to the fact that gas prices in Europe continue to stay above $ 500 per thousand cubic meters. This is almost three times higher than the average cost of fuel in the pre-crisis five-year plan.

Slovakia and Hungary sharply opposed the stop of Ukrainian transit. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced this week that Budapest had received the "requested guarantees" from the EU to ensure energy transit to European countries after threatening to veto sanctions against Russia. After that, Reuters reported that the European Commission will continue to negotiate gas supplies with Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary.

The Financial Times noted that the idea of resuming full-scale supplies of Russian gas may not find a response from the new owner of the White House, as Donald Trump threatened Europe with duties on its goods and called for buying more American LNG.