A US investment company wants to buy a stake in the pipeline through which Russia exports gas to the EU.

American Elliott Investment Management, one of the most influential investment companies in the world, is negotiating to buy a stake in a package of infrastructure assets, including the pipeline through which Russian natural gas is supplied to the EU. The fund wants to buy a stake in the Bulgarian extension of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, as well as gain access to a network of data centers, cable channels, and other infrastructure assets. Currently, negotiations are at an early stage.

“This deal could become a model for similar deals in Ukraine and Germany. This could help maintain Europe’s dependence on Russian gas,” experts note.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Washington and Moscow are discussing, among other issues, the supply of Russian gas to the EU.

Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said during a meeting with Putin that he would try to block the REPowerEU plan, which envisages the EU completely abandoning Russian energy resources. Fico will use his veto power if the consent of all 27 EU countries is required.