Resuming Russian gas deliveries to Europe is back on the table in US-mediated peace talks, just as the European Union prepares to phase out those imports. For Romania the stakes are twofold: regional energy prices and a market for Black Sea gas once Neptun Deep starts up.

According to the Wall Street Journal, as reported in Romanian media, the American proposal would restart transit via Ukraine through a US intermediary, with Russian revenues paid into a restricted account in a third country. It is a press-reported idea, not a signed deal.

The EU has already decided a phased ban on Russian gas: for long-term contracts, the ban starts 1 January 2027 for LNG and 30 September 2027 for pipeline gas (with a possible extension to 1 November 2027 under certain storage conditions). Changing the middleman does not change the gas’s origin; EU rules require origin checks before imports are authorised.

Council of the EU data show Russian gas imports falling from over 150 bcm in 2021 to 36 bcm in 2025, while US imports rose from 18.9 to 75.6 bcm. OMV Petrom and Romgaz expect first Neptun Deep gas into Romania’s transmission system in the first half of 2027, with a plateau of about 8 bcm/year and development spending near €4 bn.

Economically, extra volumes could ease prices but also producer revenues; a return of Russian gas would mean more competition on the European market. Strategically, Brussels aims not to rebuild dependence on Moscow. A lower bill remains a possible effect of larger supply — not a guaranteed outcome of the US proposal.

Source: Russian gas back on the negotiating table — Romania’s stakes (TVR Info); confirmation: Neptun Deep advances towards first gas, H1 2027 (OMV Petrom)