There is presently some indication that interest in the Energy Charter may be growing in the United States, taking into account ongoing negotiations between Brussels and Washington over the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the recent award against the Russian government in the Yukos compensation claim, as well as possible American participation in the updating of the Energy Charter of 1991. There is also growing recognition amongst US decision makers that the Energy Charter is one of the few energy governance processes that has traditionally included Russian participation. The United States may yet find an ally in the Energy Charter Process, given ongoing American concerns over political developments in Ukraine and the possible fallout for European energy security.

These were all topics that Secretary General Rusnák addressed during his speech and ensuing moderated discussion under the auspices of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Centre. More than 100 participants from diplomatic circles, government agencies, the energy industry and the NGO community gathered for this particular meeting, which was introduced by Amb. John Herbst, former American Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Secretary General Rusnák's speech received extensive press coverage in the US and international media, which included a prolonged head-to-head interview with the chief energy editor of the leading daily, the Washington Post. The Secretary General's appearance at the Atlantic Council was preceded by bi-lateral meetings with high-level American government trade representatives, as well as officials from the State Department, Energy Information Administration and the Department of Energy.