US denies any support for lifting Russian sanctions
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In a fiery rebuke, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have categorically denied a Politico report suggesting they discussed lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets. The duo labeled the anonymously sourced article “totally fictitious” and “fake crap,” igniting a heated clash with the outlet over its claims.
Politico’s Thursday report, citing unnamed White House insiders, alleged that Rubio and Witkoff were exploring the possibility of easing energy-related sanctions as part of peace talks to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The article specifically pointed to Witkoff as a “main proponent” of lifting restrictions on Russian energy assets, including the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a critical conduit for natural gas to Europe. It also suggested Rubio was working to block such moves, highlighting tensions between advocates of U.S. energy exports and those seeking warmer relations with Russia.
Rubio and Witkoff swiftly issued a joint White House statement, dismissing the story as baseless. “This is false,” they declared. “Neither of us have had any conversations about lifting sanctions on Russia as part of a peace deal with Ukraine. This is just totally fictitious and irresponsible reporting from Politico, a fifth-rate publication. If they have an ounce of journalistic integrity, they will fully retract this piece of fiction.”
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Witkoff doubled down in a separate statement on his X account, asserting, “There isn’t even a kernel of truth to this story – Politico was played by their ‘sources’ yet again. It’s embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap.”
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That is about as strong a denial as you are ever likely to see. There is more at the link above. Politico might have to burn its source for the story to regain credibility.
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