White House debate: Sanctions on Russian gas pipeline in limbo
There is an ongoing discussion at the White House about lifting sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other Russian assets in Europe, according to Politico.
According to Politico, Witkoff—who claims to have developed a "friendship" with Vladimir Putin—has reportedly instructed his team to compile a list of sanctioned Russian energy entities, lobbying for the removal of restrictions.
Similar influences are reportedly being exerted by groups of businessmen, including financier Stephen Lynch, who unsuccessfully tried to persuade the administration to allow the purchase of Nord Stream 2 during President Biden's tenure. Efforts to remove sanctions were also made with the help of the Biden administration by a close associate of Vladimir Putin and the head of Nord Stream 2 AG, Mattias Warnig.
However, sources told the portal that, so far, these actions have not gained broader support within the White House. Witkoff is opposed by, among others, the Department of State and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who heads the "Energy Dominance Council."
Opponents argue that lifting sanctions on the Russian gas sector would negatively impact American LNG exporters and their growing gas supplies to Europe.
There is an internal White House debate between the energy dominance people — Burgum, who wants markets for U.S. LNG — and Witkoff, who wants to be closer to Russia, a source told the portal. "Russia regaining its status as Europe’s top energy supplier would be 'a bloodbath for American [oil and gas] producers,'" they added.
Was Witkoff misled?
According to another source, some in the U.S. administration believe that Russia may have misled Witkoff about the scale of U.S. economic capabilities in terms of restoring business relations with Russia.
Politico notes that lifting sanctions on Nord Stream—initially imposed during Trump's first term and cited by him as proof that "no one has been tougher on Russia"—would only make sense if the European Union agreed to resume purchasing gas from Russia, which the authors believe is unlikely.
