With Europe's energy relations with Russia strained, officials from Washington and Moscow have held talks for the United States to help restart Russian gas sales to the continent, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the talks. 

Europe has cut its imports of Russian gas since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, leaving Russian exporter Gazprom with a $7 billion loss next year.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing for peace in Ukraine, raising the possibility of a warming in gas relations.
Agency sources close to the bilateral talks said Moscow's increased role in the European Union's gas market could help broker a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 While much of Europe is looking for alternative sources of supply, some buyers remain, and industry officials say there could be more once a peace deal is reached.

As for Russia, nothing has hit its economy harder than losing most of the European gas market three years ago.

 It now supplies 19 percent of Europe's needs, down from 40 percent, mostly with liquefied natural gas (LNG), some of which is supplied by the Turkish Stream pipeline through Turkey. 

Washington's involvement in restoring gas supplies could help Moscow deal with political opposition in much of Europe. U.S. involvement would also benefit Washington by giving it visibility and possibly some control over how much Russian gas is returned to Europe, two diplomatic sources and a White House source said.

 Europe has turned to other gas suppliers since 2022, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the United States. 

U.S. special envoy Steve Whitkoff and Putin's investment representative Kirill Dmitriev held talks on gas as part of peace talks on Ukraine, two of the eight sources said. 

“If this level of engagement between Russia and the US continues, it is very likely that Russian gas supplies will be resumed ... with the involvement of US mediators,” said a source familiar with the talks. 

“Gazprom, seeking to revive its sales in Europe, is considering offering German customers short-term 24-month contracts and significant price discounts, two sources said.

Traditionally, the company has asked buyers to sign contracts lasting decades, the two sources said.