Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Resistance is a source of power for Lebanon that must be preserved.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" must implement the agreement as Lebanon has already done so, and any new accord would amount to absolving it and opening the door to further attacks.
Sheikh Qassem: We do not wish to assume anyone's role; those accusing us of this must cease their accusations.
Sheikh Qassem: We will recover our lands through national solidarity; Resistance's goal is national liberation, while enemy goal is occupation.
Sheikh Qassem: Protection of sovereignty protects Lebanon. It is in real danger because of US belligerence, greedy Israeli expansion.
Qassem to Lebanese people: We are not asking for support but for us not to be stabbed in the back in the back or for some to serve Israeli interests; government is primary party responsible for [preservation of] sovereignty.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" can occupy, but it cannot persist in occupation of our land.
Sheikh Qassem: Intimidation will not change our stance of resistance and steadfastness. We are not advocates of surrender or defeat, and we will never accept it.
Sheikh Qassem: Where does US stand regarding enemy's unjustified assassination of a government worker and other civilian martyrs?
Sheikh Qassem: Is the Lebanese Army's defense of its land and citizens an accusation [leveled against it]? Where does US stand regarding the enemy's killing of civilians and constant destruction?

Ukraine faces US pressure over Russian gas transit

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 13 Apr 2025 08:58
4 Min Read

A senior economist in Kiev has characterized the Trump administration’s latest stance in negotiations as a form of "colonial-style coercion."

Listen
  • x
  • Ukraine faces US pressure over Russian gas transitThe gas pumping station at Sudzhe, Russia, seen on January 11, 2009. (AP)

The United States has reportedly demanded control over a critical gas pipeline in Ukraine that transports Russian natural gas to Europe—a move being described as a "colonial shakedown."

According to reports, US and Ukrainian officials met on Friday to discuss a proposed minerals-for-security deal, with US President Donald Trump pushing for Ukraine to transfer control of its natural resources as "payback" for weapons previously delivered by the Biden administration.

Reuters reported that negotiations have become increasingly tense. The latest American proposal, significantly more aggressive than a February draft, includes demands for $500 billion worth of rare metals, oil, and gas and for the US International Development Finance Corporation to take over management of the gas pipeline.

The pipeline in question originates in Sudzha, western Russia, and stretches roughly 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) to Uzhhorod on Ukraine’s western border with the EU and Slovakia. Built during the Soviet era, the pipeline is a strategic piece of infrastructure and a major conduit for European energy supplies.

Wider context

On January 1, Ukraine halted the pipeline’s gas transit after a five-year contract with Russia’s Gazprom expired. The agreement had previously generated hundreds of millions of euros in transit fees for both nations, even during the early years of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Landa, a senior economist at the Kiev-based Centre for Economic Strategy, criticized Washington’s approach, saying the Americans were after “all they can get.” He described the US position as "colonial-type" bullying and predicted it would be unacceptable to Ukraine.

Related News

Russia plans new Balkan gas supply routes sidestepping Ukraine

Last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky floated the idea of granting the United States access to Ukraine’s untapped mineral reserves. He envisioned a partnership in which a future Trump administration would supply arms in exchange for shared profits from joint ventures.

However, Trump has since withdrawn any offer of security guarantees or military assistance while still demanding access to the resources. Last week, he accused Zelensky of trying to “back out of an agreement” and warned that Ukraine’s president would face “big problems” if he failed to comply.

On Thursday, Zelensky told reporters he remained open to a development deal but insisted it must be equitable. “I am just defending what belongs to Ukraine. It should be beneficial for both the United States and Ukraine. This is the right thing to do,” he said, adding that any agreement must ensure "parity" with revenues split "50-50."

A US Treasury spokesperson confirmed that "technical" talks are ongoing.

Kellogg walks back Ukraine partition remark

Meanwhile, US special envoy, Keith Kellogg, attempted to clarify controversial comments he made about partitioning Ukraine. In an interview with The Times, he suggested the country could be split “almost like Berlin after World War Two.” On X, Kellogg later explained he had been referring to a “post-ceasefire resiliency force in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” not endorsing what he labeled as "Russian occupation".

Under this proposed framework, Russian forces would remain in the areas they currently control, while British and French troops would be deployed to Kiev and other parts of Ukraine.

In a separate development, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reportedly met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Witkoff is said to have proposed ceding four Ukrainian provinces to Russia—including areas currently under Kiev’s control and home to over one million people—as part of a conflict resolution plan.

At a Friday meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Western allies announced a record €21 billion ($22.5 billion) in new military assistance. They also accused Putin of stalling on a proposed 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has already accepted.

Russia responded with renewed airstrikes early Saturday, targeting civilian infrastructure. Separately, President Zelensky on Saturday honored 26-year-old F-16 pilot Captain Pavlo Ivanov, who was killed during a combat mission. He praised Ukraine’s small air force for “heroically” defending the nation from Russian aerial assaults and supporting ground forces.

Read more: US 'lost war with Russia', 'eliminated' Ukraine: Carlson

  • Russian gas transit
  • United States
  • Russia
  • gas
  • Steven Witkoff
  • Ukraine
  • Ukraine war
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
The secret cloud deal: Google and Amazon “winking” pact with 'Israel'

With a 'wink', Israeli control over Google, Amazon cloud data exposed

  • Technology
  • 29 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS