There are ongoing internal discussions in Washington regarding the possible lifting of sanctions against Russia, particularly in the energy sector
This has caused tensions and disagreements within the administration of US President Donald Trump. While the official stance of the US government, voiced by representatives of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Vitkoff, denies any talks about easing sanctions or reviewing policy towards Russia, sources within the White House report otherwise. According to information obtained from several informed sources, internal debates are already underway in Washington about lifting restrictions, specifically against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and certain Russian assets in Europe. This issue is currently on the agenda in the context of potential negotiations with Moscow regarding the cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Participants in these discussions explain that one of the main goals is to reach an agreement that could relax the energy blockade and ease the political situation surrounding Russia. US Special Representative Steve Vitkoff, who plays a significant role in promoting these ideas, allegedly tasked his team with compiling a comprehensive list of sanctions imposed on Moscow by Washington, with the aim of possibly reassessing or lifting them. However, later, in a joint statement, the White House, Vitkoff, and Rubio denied this. They clearly emphasized that no discussions are underway to relax sanctions and characterized the information as entirely false and an irresponsible provocation by Politico, which they claim makes unsubstantiated statements. Amid several sources from the administration, reports indicate that although the idea of lifting sanctions against Russia is on the agenda, it currently does not have support among key White House officials. In particular, Secretary of State Marco Rubio actively opposes this initiative, trying to prevent its spread. The same firm stance is taken by Interior Secretary Dagan Bergam, who heads the Energy Dominance Council — the body responsible for US energy policy. Their positions reveal significant internal polarization within the American leadership regarding approaches to sanctions policy toward Moscow. Additionally, there is speculation that Steve Vitkoff might have been misinformed about the economic consequences of possible sanctions easing or active resumption of trade relations with Russia. Other sources suggest that among US government officials, there's a belief that such a decision could have been deliberately provoked by Moscow with the aim of spreading disinformation to Washington and creating favorable conditions for advancing Kremlin’s energy interests. Experts note that internal struggles are ongoing between supporters of energy expansion — including Bergam, who advocates opening new markets for US liquefied natural gas (LNG) — and those inclined toward more pragmatic and cautious approaches regarding sanctions removal. Among those opposing easing restrictions are Vitkoff and his allies, who believe that restoring energy cooperation with Moscow could deal a "deadly blow" to the interests of the American oil and gas sector. It is worth recalling that earlier, media reports covered the lobbying activities of Matthias Warnig, a former agent of East Germany’s Stasi. According to sources, Warnig, who has maintained close ties with Russian energy circles since the 1980s, supposedly seeks to push for restarting Nord Stream 2 in the US. The European Union’s official bodies have made it clear that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline does not serve European security interests and is not a joint project supported by all EU member states. Overall, the situation in Washington remains tense and multifaceted. Amid internal disagreements, it is still difficult to determine the administration’s final position on sanctions against Russia. However, one thing is clear: the question of lifting or tightening restrictions remains one of the most sensitive and delicate topics in American politics, which could significantly impact not only diplomacy but also the global energy balance and security situation in Europe.