Kremlin Downplays Prospect of Resuming Gas Shipments to Europe via Ukraine

Nov. 2, 2026 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. REUTERS / Anastasia Barashkova Russia is unlikely to resume natural gas deliveries to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines anytime soon, the Kremlin said Monday, downplaying reports that the option was being discussed as part of a proposed winter energy ceasefire. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the Trump administration suggested the idea during talks in September as an incentive for Moscow to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid. According to U.S. and European officials, advocates of the plan argued it would also allow Ukraine to collect transit fees while helping lower European heating costs. Under the proposal, Russian gas would be sold through a U.S. intermediary to navigate European sanctions, with proceeds placed in an offshore escrow account to prevent Moscow from using the funds to finance its war effort. “Frankly, the situation on the ground speaks all too clearly to the fact that those kinds of plans are impossible to implement right now,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing. “But as for what the future holds, we’ll see.” Peskov said any renewal of gas shipments through Ukraine would “depend on the willingness of buyers, the willingness of sellers and the capacity of sellers.” He noted that, while the European energy market remains a “premium one,” countries in the Global South have demonstrated themselves as “centers of economic growth,” meaning that their consumption of oil and gas will only increase in the coming years, with Moscow poised to supply all of their energy needs. Russian gas shipments to Europe by pipeline have largely stopped since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Brussels has committed to ending all imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, a U.S.-based think tank, the EU imported 6.9 billion cubic meters of Russian gas in the first three months of 2026, a 16% increase from the first quarter of last year and the highest volume since 2022. Still, Russia now accounts for just 11% of Europe’s natural gas consumption, down from 45% on the eve of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. AFP contributed reporting. Read more about: Gas , Europe , Ukraine , Energy Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Ukraine Ends Russian Gas Transit to Europe, Marking Historic Break Until Wednesday, Russian gas had flowed through Ukrainian pipelines since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. 2 Min read Last Window to Europe: What Happens After Ukraine Gas Transit Ends? If this gas route is lost, it may intensify Europe's battle with Asia for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies and create new headaches for cash-strapped... 6 Min read Russian Gas Exports Sink by 25% Despite Rise in Oil Sales The European Union, once the largest buyer of Russian gas, drastically reduced its imports last year. 2 Min read Russia Resumes Critical Gas Supplies to Europe via Nord Stream The German government had feared that Moscow would not reopen the pipeline after the scheduled work.