(Reuters) -When the CEO of Russian state gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller, opened a lavish Italian palazzo-styled building in central St Petersburg to house the company's export arm 11 years ago, he augured a future funded by European sales.

Russian and European officials say the US is exploring ways to work with energy giant Gazprom PJSC on global projects, a step toward forging closer ties with the Kremlin while trying to broker a peace deal on Ukraine.

European energy companies have filed lawsuits against Gazprom, seeking a total of €18 billion in compensation for the termination of gas supplies. This amount is nearly double the Russian energy giant's available cash reserves.

When the CEO of Russian state gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller, opened a lavish Italian palazzo-styled building in central St Petersburg to house the company's export arm 11 years ago, he augured a future funded by European sales.