EU wants to buy gas from Russia

Supporters of the idea of buying Russian gas argue that it would reduce high energy prices in Europe, encourage Moscow to come to the negotiating table and give both sides a reason to implement and maintain a cease-fire, the Financial Times reported.

The three officials said the idea has been endorsed by some officials in Germany and Hungary, with support from other capitals who see it as a way to bring down energy costs in Europe.

Preliminary discussions of the idea of resuming Russian gas supplies to Europe have already provoked sharp reactions from Ukraine's closest EU allies.

Officials and diplomats from eastern European countries, many of which have been working to cut Russian energy supplies for the past three years, were furious at the idea.

“This is madness. How stupid can we be to even think of this as an option?” one official said.

Renewed discussions about resuming Russian gas supplies have worried some U.S. LNG exporters who are seeking to sign long-term supply agreements with European companies.

Two officials said they fear that any restoration of Ukrainian transit could make their products uncompetitive.

Another senior official added that everyone wants lower energy prices.

Photo: Apostrophe.