Two US officials have refuted a Politico article suggesting Washington is considering easing sanctions on Russia as part of a potential Ukraine peace agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, who served as President Trump’s special envoy, have strongly criticized a Politico report about a possible Ukraine peace deal, labeling it “fiction” and “fake crap.”
Politico’s Wednesday article claimed that the US is contemplating lifting sanctions related to Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline and “other Russian assets in Europe” to facilitate peace talks. The report, citing “five people familiar with the discussions,” identified Witkoff as the “main proponent” of this plan, allegedly due to a growing “friendship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his time as Trump’s envoy. The article also stated Rubio’s opposition and included analyst quotes suggesting the move could negatively impact US LNG exports by allowing Russian gas back into the EU market.
Rubio quickly responded on X, dismissing the article as “unequivocally false” and a “piece of fiction.” Witkoff used even stronger language, denouncing the article as “fake crap.”
Rubio and Witkoff are reportedly key figures involved in US-Russia discussions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Details of the US peace proposal remain undisclosed, but reports indicate it might involve recognizing Crimea as Russian territory. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky recently rejected any such proposals as “unconstitutional,” leading Trump to accuse him of jeopardizing peace efforts with “inflammatory statements” and warning he could “lose the whole country” without compromise.
US Vice President J.D. Vance echoed this sentiment, stating on Wednesday that Washington might “walk away” from negotiations unless Kiev and Moscow reach an agreement soon, adding that “both will have to give up some of the territory they currently own.”
Russia has consistently maintained that the status of Crimea and the four other formerly Ukrainian regions that joined Russia following referendums is non-negotiable. Moscow insists that acknowledging the “reality on the ground” is crucial for achieving lasting peace.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently cautioned against relying on media reports regarding US-Russia talks, noting that “a lot of fakes are being published now, including by respected publications.” He advised the public to rely on official sources for information.
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