• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejects reports of lifting Nord Stream 2 sanctions.
• Claims of sanctions easing are labeled "unequivocally false" by Rubio on social media.
• The discussions aim to address ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and US-Russia relations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has refuted reports suggesting that the Biden administration is contemplating lifting sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline as part of peace negotiations regarding Ukraine. Rubio declared the claims as "unequivocally false" on social media, emphasizing that neither he nor special envoy Steve Witkoff has discussed any such sanctions relief, which he criticized as "journalistic malpractice," according to aa and Newsweek.

The rumors originated from a report published by Politico that alleged the Biden administration was considering lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, including the key Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This pipeline has been a significant focus of U.S. sanctions amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Rubio highlighting the illegitimacy of the claims, stating that easing sanctions would undermine efforts to pressure Russia economically, according to The Hill and Newsweek.

Reports indicated that Witkoff, who is closely involved in Russian negotiations, had been seen as the main advocate for easing sanctions. However, Rubio's firm backlash reflects significant opposition within the U.S. government against lifting any sanctions that would provide financial relief to Russia, especially in light of their continued military aggression. This is also a response to claims made by Russian officials anticipating eased sanctions, which they believe could occur in exchange for a ceasefire, according to Newsweek and The Hill.

Historically, the Nord Stream pipelines have been contentious, with severe sanctions imposed as a direct consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While some sanctions were lifted during President Biden's tenure, their reinstatement occurred during the escalation of hostilities in 2022. Rubio's rejection of the Politico's account underscores a strong bipartisan push to maintain pressure on Russia without concessions for peace, as U.S. officials believe sanctions are crucial for de-escalating the ongoing conflict, according to The Hill and aa.