U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is pushing to lift U.S. energy sanctions on Russia, Politico reported on July 4, citing two people familiar with the matter. The move is part of a broader debate within the Trump administration over how to engage with Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Witkoff is reportedly advocating for easing energy sanctions, other administration officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, oppose the move, arguing instead that the U.S. should focus on reducing its reliance on Russian oil and gas rather than expanding trade with Moscow.
Despite Trump’s pledge during his campaign to end the war in Ukraine in “24 hours,” there has been little progress on securing a ceasefire. After nearly seven months of Trump’s presidency, and several peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, no agreement has been reached. Moscow continues to intensify its attacks against Ukrainian cities, with Russia launching one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine on July 4, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Trump.
When journalists asked if he had made any progress with Putin during the call, Trump responded: “No, I didn’t make any progress with him today at all.” Europe’s energy sector is a central issue in the dispute. According to Politico, Moscow is in early talks with Washington about potentially restarting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, with backing from U.S. investors. This development has raised concerns in Brussels, where a senior EU official reportedly warned that Trump and Putin appear to be aiming to “divide the European energy market and create (separate) spheres of influence.”
Witkoff, a real estate developer-turned-envoy, has drawn criticism in Washington and abroad for his handling of high-level talks with Russia. NBC News reported in May that he has been using Kremlin-provided translators during multiple meetings with Putin, including a visit to Moscow on April 26, just a day after a Russian missile attack killed 12 people in Kyiv. Trump’s administration has so far avoided imposing new sanctions against Russia, even as Putin continues to reject calls for a ceasefire.
This ongoing debate over energy sanctions and trade cooperation reflects the broader geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate. The internal disagreements within the Trump administration highlight the challenges of balancing economic interests with national security concerns. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine remains a focal point of international policy, with the U.S. and its allies continuing efforts to support Ukraine while navigating complex diplomatic and economic relationships with Russia.