Politico: US envoy pushes to lift anti-Russian sanctions

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly advocating for lifting energy sanctions on Russia, according to two sources familiar with the matter. 

At the center of this emerging dynamic is Europe’s energy sector, where Moscow and Washington are engaged in discussions about restarting the Nord Stream pipeline, a move reportedly supported by US investors, Caliber.Az reports via Politico.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum prefers a strategy aimed at displacing Moscow’s role to increase US energy exports.

The developments have raised alarms in Brussels. A European Union official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that “Trump and Putin want to divide the European energy market and create [separate] spheres of influence.”

Further intensifying concerns, American investors are said to be exploring acquisition opportunities in Rosneft’s refinery shares. According to the German investigative outlet Correctiv, these investments could grant US firms a majority stake in the facility, deepening US involvement in Russia’s energy infrastructure.

By Sabina Mammadli