The negotiations on an American purchase of the Russian-owned energy infrastructure have reportedly been ongoing for months
Washington and Moscow are in talks on a major deal that would allow for the resumption of Russian energy exports, German outlet Correctiv reported on Thursday, citing its own investigation.
A potential agreement could involve American companies purchasing some parts of the Nord Stream pipeline infrastructure, as well as stakes in three German refineries currently owned by a subsidiary of the Russian energy giant Rosneft, the report said.
The discussions have supposedly been ongoing “for months” and are said to include conditions for the resumption of Russian oil and gas exports to the EU.
The Nord Stream undersea gas pipelines, consisting of two sets of two, were key conduits for Russian gas exports to Europe before 2022. The first was capable of delivering up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year. The second pipeline, dubbed Nord Stream 2 had a similar capacity but was never put into service, as Germany refused to certify it shortly before the start of the Russian operation against Ukraine in February 2022.
Three of the four Nord Stream pipelines were rendered inoperable in September 2022 in an act of sabotage. No perpetrators have been officially named, although parts of the Western media repeatedly pointed to Ukraine.
Operator Nord Stream 2 AG is allegedly involved in negotiations with potential investors, possibly from the US, Correctiv claimed. The company reportedly told a court in Switzerland in early 2025 that it was “in intensive contact with the financial investors.” A January report by Reuters said that a Swiss court had delayed bankruptcy proceedings for Nord Stream AG until May 9. According to Correctiv, the decision was linked to the talks.
A November piece by the Wall Street Journal also stated that a US businessman and investor, Stephen P. Lynch, was interested in purchasing the Nord Stream 2 infrastructure. Earlier in March, the German tabloid Bild also claimed that the US and Russia were in “secret talks” about making Nord Stream 2 operational.
According to Correctiv, discussions about an American purchase of a majority stake in the large Schwedt oil refinery in the German eastern state of Brandenburg are ongoing as well and they also involve the German chancellor’s office and the federal economic ministry.
Certain preliminary agreements could be reached as soon as the coming weeks, Correctiv reported. The outlet claimed that the deal could be part of a broader deal between Moscow and Washington about a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict.
Neither Moscow nor Washington have officially commented on the report. Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at a potential deal with the US on Thursday. “If the US and Russia reach an agreement on energy cooperation, a gas pipeline could be provided for Europe, which would benefit Europe as well since it would get cheap Russian gas,” he said.
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