Overview

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed discussions with the U.S. about potentially resuming Nord Stream pipeline operations during ongoing ceasefire talks.
• European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, maintain that sanctions on Russia will only be lifted with a full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.
• The Nord Stream pipelines, sabotaged in 2022, remain a contentious issue, with only one of the four pipelines still intact and operationally dormant.
• Energy analysts and industry leaders express skepticism about Europe’s ability to resist cheap Russian gas in the long term, citing economic pressures.
• The United States has announced separate ceasefire agreements with Russia and Ukraine, while Ukraine disputes Russia's claims of observing a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.