Lavrov Claims U.S. Wants to Revive and Acquire Nord Stream Pipelines

Lavrov's Statements on the Gas Pipelines

According to Главком: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has suggested that the United States may be planning to restore and purchase the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. According to Lavrov, Washington intends to acquire them at a rock-bottom price. These comments came during an interview with RT India and were later published by the Ukrainian outlet Glavcom.

The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines run along the Baltic Sea floor, designed to carry Russian natural gas to Germany. On September 26, 2022, three of the four pipeline strings were blown up near the island of Bornholm, within the exclusive economic zones of Denmark and Sweden. Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office suspects a Ukrainian national, Serhiy Kuznetsov, of involvement in the sabotage. He remained in custody as of early 2026. Ukraine has officially denied any role by its state agencies in the operation.

Talks and European Commission Plans

In May 2025, Reuters reported that the U.S. and Russia had held discussions about possibly restarting Russian gas supplies to Europe. Around the same time, the Trump administration was considering whether Washington could serve as a mediator in energy disputes.

Meanwhile, the European Commission aims to ban new contracts for Russian gas by the end of 2025 and phase out existing agreements entirely by 2027. However, these plans have faced pushback from Hungary and Slovakia. Lavrov also noted that the U.S. had previously stated the Nord Stream pipelines would never operate again.

“The Nord Stream pipelines will not operate.” - Sergey Lavrov

As a result, the situation surrounding the pipelines and cross-border energy relations remains tense, shaped by the European Commission’s objectives and potential U.S. moves.

Lavrov’s allegations about a possible revival of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines highlight the complexities in energy ties between Russia, the United States, and the European Union. Against the backdrop of the pipeline sabotage and rising regional tensions, the issue continues to draw international attention. The European Commission’s push to prohibit new Russian gas deals could significantly reshape Europe’s energy policy, though resistance from countries like Hungary and Slovakia may hinder its implementation.

The ongoing discussions around the Nord Stream pipelines coincide with broader energy strategies in Europe. Recently, the U.S. and Ukraine unveiled a significant energy and logistics financing initiative, aimed at reshaping energy dependencies and enhancing security in the region. This development underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical interests as nations navigate their energy futures amidst rising tensions.