Trump Officials Torch Politico’s ‘Journalistic Malpractice’ Report on Russian Sanctions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff issued a joint statement on Thursday dismissing a Politico report that claimed the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia.

The two officials described the report as “totally fictitious” and accused Politico of publishing “irresponsible reporting.”

“This is false,” Rubio and Witkoff stated. “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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The Politico article, citing unnamed sources, claimed that Witkoff has been “the main proponent of lifting sanctions” on Russia, particularly regarding energy-related sanctions tied to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The report stated that Witkoff allegedly directed his team to compile a list of all U.S. sanctions on Russian energy assets.

According to Politico, “five people familiar with the discussions” claimed Witkoff has been central to internal talks about loosening sanctions, and that he has “developed a friendship with Putin” in his role as envoy to Moscow.

The article also alleged that while Witkoff has raised the topic of lifting sanctions, the idea “has not found much traction in the White House” and that Rubio has attempted to block any such efforts.

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“A second person said that while Witkoff has raised the idea of lifting energy-related sanctions, the idea so far has not found much traction in the White House and that Rubio has tried to derail it,” the article reported.

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. If @POLITICO has an ounce of integrity they will fully retract this piece of fiction. pic.twitter.com/AoYFz7wWLA

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 24, 2025

The report referenced the operational status of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, one of two lines built to deliver Russian natural gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea.

One of the pipelines was damaged by an explosion in September 2022, an incident still under investigation.

Reports have linked the blast to Ukrainian nationals, although no official conclusion has been released.

Rubio and Witkoff’s denial comes as scrutiny around U.S. policy on Russian sanctions remains high, particularly in light of the Nord Stream 2 project.

The Trump administration opposed the pipeline, citing energy security concerns and Russian influence in Europe.

In 2019, President Trump signed a law imposing sanctions on any firm assisting in the construction of Nord Stream 2.

That stance contrasted sharply with the Biden-Harris administration, which, in May 2021, lifted key sanctions on companies involved in the project.

At the time, Joe Biden defended the decision, arguing that the pipeline was nearly complete and that the move was necessary to maintain diplomatic ties with Germany.

However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden-Harris administration reimposed sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a day after Germany suspended its certification process.

Rubio and Witkoff’s rejection of the Politico report reaffirms the Trump administration’s continued opposition to the pipeline and sanctions relief for Russia.

As of Thursday, Politico has not issued a correction or retraction in response to the statement from the Secretary of State and Special Envoy.

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