A close ally of Putin, Matthias Warnig, has been working to revive Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with backing from U.S. investors - Financial Times. Warnig’s plan includes reaching out to Donald Trump’s team via U.S. businessmen as part of broader back-channel negotiations on Ukraine.

Warnig is a former Stasi spy, and used to be the head of Gazprom’s subsidiary in charge of Nord Stream 2.

Some U.S. investors have shown interest in a post-sanctions deal with Gazprom, seeing it as a way to further cement the rapprochement. But significant hurdles remain, including lifting U.S. sanctions, securing Russia’s agreement to resume gas sales, and obtaining German approval. European leaders are alarmed by these discussions, according to Financial Times. 

Putin’s spokesman Peskov said he has no information regarding any talks on the revival of Nord Stream 2.

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