US and Russia Engage in Secret Talks to Revive Nord Stream 2, Excluding Germany from Negotiations

The United States and Russia have engaged in secret negotiations that may lead to the revival of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a project emblematic of the strained relations between the West and Russia. An investigation by the German newspaper Bild, published on March 2, 2025, reveals that Donald Trump, who previously opposed the pipeline during his presidency and imposed sanctions against it, is now seeking to negotiate its relaunch through emissaries.

Sources indicate that these discussions are being conducted without the involvement of Germany, adding a layer of complexity to the already intricate geopolitical landscape surrounding European gas supplies.

A central figure in these clandestine talks is Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Germany and now Trump’s special envoy. Bild reports that Grenell has made multiple secret trips to Switzerland, where he has met with Russian representatives at the headquarters of Nord Stream 2 AG in Steinhausen, Zug. These meetings, held away from public scrutiny, focus on the potential resumption of gas supplies to Germany with American mediation. This shift is particularly striking given Grenell’s previous lobbying efforts to halt the project between 2018 and 2020, during which he labeled it a threat to Europe’s energy security and a tool of Moscow’s influence.

Notably, the German government, once a staunch supporter of Nord Stream 2, has been excluded from these discussions, raising concerns about Berlin’s autonomy in the evolving geopolitical climate. Should a deal materialize, Washington could position itself as an intermediary in the sale of Russian gas, representing not only an economic opportunity but also a strategic maneuver to reshape relations between Russia and Europe.