U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly rejected a report that the country was considering whether to lift sanctions on one of Russia’s main natural gas pipelines linked to Western Europe as part of a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Rubio dismissed as “unequivocally false” a Politico report that Washington would reverse U.S. policy on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, which would deliver a major coup for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Steve Witkoff, an envoy for the Trump administration, had floated the idea, according to the publication citing undisclosed sources, although he also rejected the report, which comes ahead of his meeting with Putin in Moscow on Friday.
Newsweek has contacted Politico for comment.
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Why It Matters
The Nord Stream pipelines carried gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea and were blown up in an apparent act of sabotage in late 2022, although one of the two Nord Stream 2 pipelines is still operable.
Sanctions against companies participating in the pipeline’s construction were put in place during Trump’s first term. The Biden administration lifted some restrictions in 2021 but reinstated them after Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022 focused the minds of European governments to wean themselves off Russian fossil fuels.
Easing sanctions would throw Russia a lifeline on rebooting its dwindling gas revenues, which fund its war machine.
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What To Know
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in March that Washington and Moscow were in talks to revive the Nord Stream gas pipelines; this would offer economic benefits for Russia if the EU agreed to resume imports of the fuel.
Adding to the speculation was Politico, which, citing undisclosed sources, said that Witkoff had been the main proponent of lifting sanctions. The envoy had raised the idea of lifting energy-related sanctions, but this is opposed by Rubio and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Politico said.
The publication reported how U.S. government figures believe Witkoff has been misled by Moscow about the U.S. economic opportunity in restoring business ties with Russia.
The Biden administration also sanctioned Russia’s Arctic 2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. Moscow regaining its status as Europe’s top energy supplier would hurt American oil and gas producers, especially as the U.S. has made inroads as an LNG supplier there.
Rubio rejected the Politico report in an X, formerly Twitter, post that accused the publication of “journalistic malpractice.” He added that neither he nor Witkoff had any conversations about lifting sanctions as part of a Ukraine deal.
Witkoff was equally strong in his rebuttal, saying, “There isn’t even a kernel of truth to this story,” while broadcaster Charlie Kirk called for the story to be retracted.
In March, another Trump envoy, Richard Grenell, spoke with Russian representatives in Switzerland about supplying Russian gas to Germany through the pipeline, according to German newspaper Bild in a report widely picked up by other media outlets.
However, Grenell has denied the German newspaper’s claims as “completely false and made up” and told Newsweek that he never went to Switzerland for a Nord Stream meeting nor has he been involved in a Nord Stream 2 deal.
Berlin-based energy analyst Thomas O’Donnell told Newsweek that Trump has “taken seriously” the preparation of reopening Nord Stream 2 which he said was among several economic inducements that Trump wants prepared to dangle in front of Putin.
Trump’s ‘Final Offer’ on Ukraine
Removing U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 is among the terms the White House has proposed for a swift deal to end the war in Ukraine, according to Axios.
This so-called “final offer” also includes proposing de jure recognition of Russian control over Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014; and de facto recognition of Russia’s occupation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
When asked by reporters on Wednesday, Trump declined to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.
However, Yuriy Boyechko, founder of the charity Hope for Ukraine, told Newsweek that surrendering Ukrainian territory to Russian occupiers would never be ratified.
Decisions on recognized borders of Ukraine would only be possible through a change of Ukrainian constitution via referendums, lawmakers and Ukraine’s highest court, Boyechko said. “Surrendering Ukrainian territory to Russian occupiers will never be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament, and the Ukrainian people will never vote for it.”
What People Are Saying
Politico said: “The White House is debating whether to lift sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and potentially other Russian assets in Europe as part of discussions on ending the war.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X: “This is unequivocally false. Neither Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine. This is journalistic malpractice.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff posted on X: “There isn’t even a kernel of truth to this story—Politico was played by their ‘sources’ yet again.”
Berlin-based energy analyst Thomas O’Donnell told Newsweek: “Trump sees economic ties and sanctions relief—especially on oil, gas and minerals—as key long-term tools of geopolitical persuasion.”
Hope for Ukraine CEO Yuriy Boyechko said: “President Trump is making a promise to remove all sanctions against Russia that date back to 2014. The current administration is awarding the Kremlin for their crimes against humanity.”
What Happens Next
Rubio had previously said that the U.S. will keep up its sanctions against Russia until a peace deal is reached, but relief would likely be part of a settlement.
Witkoff will hold talks with Putin on Friday in his fourth meeting with the Russian president, although it is unclear where they may lead to.
Update 04/24/25, 8.30: a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a response by Richard Grenell.
