US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected claims that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
“This is unequivocally false,” Rubio posted on X. “Neither [special envoy] Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine.”
Rubio went further, accusing Politico — which first published the story — of “journalistic malpractice” and called for a full retraction.
The Politico article, citing anonymous sources said to be familiar with internal discussions, claimed the Trump administration was internally debating the idea of lifting sanctions on Russian energy infrastructure — specifically the Nord Stream 2 pipeline — as part of broader talks about ending the Ukraine war.
According to the report, Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine negotiations, had allegedly been a leading voice in raising the option and had requested a full list of current energy-related sanctions on Russia. However, one of the unnamed sources admitted the idea “has not found much traction in the White House” and that Rubio had actively opposed it.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, completed in 2021, was sanctioned under the Trump administration in 2019 and later shelved due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite being physically complete, the pipeline has never become operational.
Rubio’s swift denial comes amid heightened scrutiny over potential shifts in U.S. policy toward Russia. As peace negotiations continue behind closed doors, the Trump administration has emphasized that no concessions will be made that undermine Ukraine or reward Russian aggression.
While the Politico report raised questions about whether sanctions relief could be used as a bargaining chip, Rubio’s response suggests the administration remains committed to maintaining pressure on Moscow until significant concessions are made.
The State Department and the White House have not yet issued formal statements beyond Rubio’s post.
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Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warns that Russia will likely shift its forces after the Ukraine war, posing a greater threat to NATO. He emphasizes Estonia's strong preparedness, including increased defense spending and rapid mobilization.
Kazakhstan is taking concrete steps toward the development of its first nuclear power plant, with the country now in the pre-project phase, according to Rinat Okasov, Deputy Director General of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP (KAEŞ).
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Finland has been selected as one of the countries implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materials, using funds from frozen Russian assets.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warns that Russia will likely shift its forces after the Ukraine war, posing a greater threat to NATO. He emphasizes Estonia's strong preparedness, including increased defense spending and rapid mobilization.
Iran will continue to enrich uranium regardless of whether a new nuclear agreement is reached with the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday in a statement on social media platform X.
Finland has been selected as one of the countries implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materials, using funds from frozen Russian assets.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warns that Russia will likely shift its forces after the Ukraine war, posing a greater threat to NATO. He emphasizes Estonia's strong preparedness, including increased defense spending and rapid mobilization.
Kazakhstan is taking concrete steps toward the development of its first nuclear power plant, with the country now in the pre-project phase, according to Rinat Okasov, Deputy Director General of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP (KAEŞ).
The House Budget Committee passed a key tax and immigration bill late Sunday, overcoming opposition from fiscal conservatives. The bill, central to President Trump’s agenda, now moves to the full House, where GOP leaders face challenges balancing demands from both hard-liners and moderates.
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