The U.S. is negotiating a plan to bring back Russian natural gas deliveries to European markets using pipelines in Ukraine, aiming to establish an energy-focused ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. The move is designed to provide President Vladimir Putin with a financial incentive to stop attacks on energy infrastructure in exchange for the ability to export fuel to the West.
As a condition of the arrangement, the White House proposed that proceeds from the gas sales be held in escrow accounts to ensure the funds are not used to finance the Russian military. U.S. officials are exploring the deal as a means to leverage energy dependency to secure a truce in the ongoing conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal.