Financial Times journalists report that part of the Donald Trump team considers the possibility of restoring the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline as a strategic element of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
This scenario was considered impossible after an explosion on one of the gas pipeline threads in 2022, but the second thread remains whole, and some business structures develop possible restoration plans.
According to FT, the initiative belongs to Matthias Varnig, the former Nord Stream AG leader, who has close ties with Vladimir Putin. Varnig is allegedly trying to act through US businessmen, offering a gas pipeline restart as an economic and diplomatic lever. If the agreement takes place, Washington will receive control over gas supplies to Europe. To do this, it is necessary to: abolish sanctions against Russia. Negotiate with the Kremlin on the restoration of supply. To persuade Germany to give the green light for the operation of the gas pipeline. The EU and Germany are of serious concern, as Europe has already taken steps towards energy independence from the Russian Federation. The undergoing of the gas pipeline in 2022 and sanctions made the "Nord Stream-2" incapacitated. Germany has frozen the licensing of the project, and the restoration of its work is possible only through decisions at the highest political level. Political barriers are very high - even if Trump and Putin agree, sanctions, differences between US allies and the general geopolitical situation can make the agreement unrealistic. Varnig denies its participation in the negotiations, and the Kremlin and Gazprom avoid comments. Former US officials also doubt the ability to return large companies to the Russian market in the current environment.
The restart of the Nord Stream-2 remains a hypothetical scenario that faces serious political and economic resistance in both the US and in Europe.
