Politico’s latest report alleging the Trump administration is mulling lifting sanctions on Russia has been emphatically debunked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff issued a joint statement calling the story “totally fictitious” and a product of shoddy journalism.
Breitbart reported that the story falsely claimed discussions within the White House about easing energy sanctions, particularly on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Rubio and Witkoff denied any such talks, especially as part of a peace deal with Ukraine.
This fabrication, they argue, misrepresents the administration’s stance and undermines trust in media. In December 2019, during President Trump’s first term, he signed legislation imposing sanctions on companies aiding the completion of Nord Stream 2.
The pipeline, designed to transport Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, faced significant opposition from conservatives wary of Russia’s energy influence. These sanctions reflected a hardline stance against Russian expansionism.
The Nord Stream 2 project, already contentious, encountered further complications after a September 2022 explosion damaged one of its lines.
The blast, which also affected the Nord Stream 1 pipelines, halted gas shipments and remains under investigation, with some reports pointing to Ukrainian nationals. One Nord Stream 2 pipeline, however, remains operational.
Politico’s story leaned heavily on anonymous sources, claiming “five people familiar with the discussions” pointed to Witkoff as the chief advocate for lifting sanctions. The outlet alleged Witkoff pushed for removing restrictions on Nord Stream 2 and other Russian assets. Rubio and Witkoff categorically rejected these claims as baseless.
According to Politico, Witkoff instructed his team to compile a list of all U.S. energy sanctions on Russia. The report suggested this was a step toward potentially easing those restrictions. Yet, Rubio and Witkoff’s joint statement clarified that no such directive or intent existed.
Politico further claimed Witkoff’s idea of lifting energy sanctions lacked traction in the White House. The outlet cited “two people familiar with the matter” to support this narrative. However, the lack of named sources and the administration’s firm denial cast doubt on the report’s credibility.
The article also suggested Rubio was actively working to block Witkoff’s supposed plan. This portrayal of internal conflict was another point Rubio and Witkoff dismissed outright. Their unified response emphasized a shared commitment to maintaining sanctions and rejecting Politico’s narrative.
“This is false,” Rubio and Witkoff declared in their joint statement. They stressed that neither had engaged in any conversations about lifting sanctions as part of a Ukraine peace deal.
The officials called Politico’s reporting “totally fictitious and irresponsible.” They urged the outlet to retract the story fully if it valued journalistic integrity. This demand reflects a broader conservative frustration with media outlets perceived as pushing agendas over facts.
Politico quoted a second anonymous source saying, “This is not a cake in the oven being baked, though the ingredients are being assembled.” This vague metaphor was meant to suggest preliminary steps toward lifting sanctions. Rubio and Witkoff’s rebuttal rendered such claims hollow.
In May 2021, the Biden administration briefly lifted sanctions on Nord Stream 2, allowing construction to resume. This move, defended by then-President Biden, contrasted sharply with Trump’s earlier sanctions. Conservatives criticized Biden’s decision as a concession to Russia.
By February 2022, the Biden administration reversed course and reimposed sanctions on Nord Stream 2. This followed Germany’s decision to freeze the pipeline’s certification. The back-and-forth highlighted the complex geopolitics surrounding the project.
Rubio and Witkoff’s swift response to Politico’s story reinforces the Trump administration’s commitment to a strong stance against Russia. Their rejection of the report aligns with conservative values of transparency and accountability in governance. It also serves as a reminder to scrutinize media claims.