In a bid to bridge the gap between Russia and Ukraine, U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance stated that the United States is working to bring the two nations closer together to achieve lasting peace. During an interview with Fox News, Vance emphasized the necessity of facilitating dialogue, saying, "We need to try to bring these sides a little closer together to achieve a lasting peace. We haven't gotten there yet." He noted that the U.S. will continue its efforts to mediate the conflict until it determines that no further progress can be made, at which point they would reconsider their involvement.
The backdrop to these discussions includes significant demands from Russia. In the summer of 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, along with Ukraine's commitment to refrain from pursuing NATO membership, were prerequisites for any negotiations. Fast forward to April 2025, U.S. Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg revealed that the U.S. had presented Ukraine with 22 specific conditions for resolving the conflict, which Kyiv has agreed to. Kellogg stated, "We are prepared to partially recognize Russia's territorial claims, while Ukraine is ready to acknowledge its territorial losses in practice, but not legally."
On May 7, Vance expressed concerns regarding Russia's excessive demands in the ongoing negotiations. He remarked, "We were not surprised when we realized that there is a significant difference between the positions of the conflicting countries." Vance argued that the next step should involve establishing basic parameters to initiate direct dialogue between the two parties. In response, the Kremlin insisted that Russia's national interests must be taken into account during negotiations, along with addressing the root causes of the conflict.
While the political landscape in Ukraine remains tense, discussions surrounding energy relations between Europe and Russia are also evolving. On May 8, 2025, Reuters reported that U.S. and Russian officials have engaged in talks about the potential revival of Russian gas sales to Europe, which have drastically declined since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The cessation of gas imports from Russia has severely impacted Gazprom, which faced a staggering $7 billion loss in 2023.
Currently, Russia supplies only 19% of Europe’s gas demand, a sharp decline from 40% prior to the conflict. The supply now mainly consists of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and some piped gas through Turkey via the TurkStream pipeline. Observers note that the revival of Russian gas sales could play a pivotal role in facilitating a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal about his desire for a swift resolution to the conflict, which he believes could open the door for significant business opportunities between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that re-establishing a role for Moscow in the European gas market could solidify a peace deal with Putin. Despite many European nations seeking alternative suppliers, some countries have remained reliant on Russian gas, and industry officials suggest that more could return to the Russian fold if a peace settlement is reached.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's investment envoy, have reportedly discussed gas exports as part of the broader peace talks. However, Witkoff's spokesperson declined to comment on whether the issue of Russian gas exports was on the agenda. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Gazprom would consider selling gas to Europe if a new owner were to take control of the gas network linking Russia and Europe.
Countries like Hungary and Slovakia continue to import gas through the TurkStream pipeline, while Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Spain receive LNG from Russia's Novatek under long-term contracts. As discussions evolve, potential U.S. involvement could include American investors acquiring stakes in the Nord Stream pipeline or even in Gazprom itself, allowing for a more structured approach to resuming gas exports.
In light of these developments, the European Commission is pushing for a ban on new Russian gas deals by the end of 2025 and aims to halt imports under existing agreements by the end of 2027. This plan, however, will require approval from the European Parliament and a majority of member states, with Hungary and Slovakia expressing their opposition to such measures.
Despite the complexities surrounding energy negotiations, Gazprom is reportedly considering offering short-term contracts to German clients at steep discounts, a notable shift from its traditional long-term contract model. This indicates a willingness to adapt to the current geopolitical climate and potentially re-establish its foothold in the European market.
As the situation unfolds, the intertwining of peace talks and energy relations highlights the intricate dynamics at play in Europe. Both the U.S. and Russia seem to recognize that a resolution to the conflict could pave the way for renewed economic ties and energy cooperation, though significant hurdles remain. The ongoing discussions reflect a cautious optimism that, with the right political will and mutual concessions, a path toward peace and stability in the region may still be possible.
