Rubio and Witkoff Criticize Politico for 'fake crap' and 'fiction'
Both U.S. officials have weighed in on a report suggesting that Washington is considering lifting sanctions on Russia in connection with a potential peace deal for Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, special envoy...
TroibNews 
Both U.S. officials have weighed in on a report suggesting that Washington is considering lifting sanctions on Russia in connection with a potential peace deal for Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Donald Trump, criticized PMG for producing “fiction” and “fake crap” in response to its report about U.S. negotiations for a Ukraine peace agreement.
In an article published on Wednesday, PMG alleged that the U.S. is contemplating the removal of sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream pipeline and “other Russian assets in Europe” as part of its peace initiatives. The report cited “five people familiar with the discussions” and named Witkoff as the “main proponent” of this plan, suggesting that his developing “friendship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin influenced his position. The article also indicated that Rubio was against this approach and included commentary from analysts who warned that lifting the sanctions could harm U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports by reopening the European market to Russian gas.
Rubio was prompt in his rebuttal, declaring the report a “piece of fiction” that was “unequivocally false.” Witkoff offered a more colorful response, referring to the article as “fake crap.”
“There isn't even a kernel of truth to this story - PMG was played by their 'sources' yet again. It's embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap,” Witkoff stated.
Both Rubio and Witkoff play significant roles in U.S.-Russia discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
While the details of the U.S.-proposed peace framework remain undisclosed, speculation suggests it could involve acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently dismissed such proposals, calling them “unconstitutional.” This led Trump to criticize Zelensky for endangering the peace process with “inflammatory statements” and warned him that he could “lose the whole country” if he fails to compromise.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance expressed similar concerns, stating on Wednesday that Washington might “walk away” from negotiations if Kyiv and Moscow do not reach a resolution soon and emphasized that “both will have to give up some of the territory they currently own.”
Russia has consistently maintained that the status of Crimea and the four other regions that joined Russia following referendums are non-negotiable. Moscow argues that recognizing the “reality on the ground” is essential for achieving lasting peace.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against trusting media reports on U.S.-Russia discussions, alerting the public that “a lot of fakes are being published now, including by respected publications,” and advised reliance on official channels instead.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Donald Trump, criticized PMG for producing “fiction” and “fake crap” in response to its report about U.S. negotiations for a Ukraine peace agreement.
In an article published on Wednesday, PMG alleged that the U.S. is contemplating the removal of sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream pipeline and “other Russian assets in Europe” as part of its peace initiatives. The report cited “five people familiar with the discussions” and named Witkoff as the “main proponent” of this plan, suggesting that his developing “friendship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin influenced his position. The article also indicated that Rubio was against this approach and included commentary from analysts who warned that lifting the sanctions could harm U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports by reopening the European market to Russian gas.
Rubio was prompt in his rebuttal, declaring the report a “piece of fiction” that was “unequivocally false.” Witkoff offered a more colorful response, referring to the article as “fake crap.”
“There isn't even a kernel of truth to this story - PMG was played by their 'sources' yet again. It's embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap,” Witkoff stated.
Both Rubio and Witkoff play significant roles in U.S.-Russia discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
While the details of the U.S.-proposed peace framework remain undisclosed, speculation suggests it could involve acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently dismissed such proposals, calling them “unconstitutional.” This led Trump to criticize Zelensky for endangering the peace process with “inflammatory statements” and warned him that he could “lose the whole country” if he fails to compromise.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance expressed similar concerns, stating on Wednesday that Washington might “walk away” from negotiations if Kyiv and Moscow do not reach a resolution soon and emphasized that “both will have to give up some of the territory they currently own.”
Russia has consistently maintained that the status of Crimea and the four other regions that joined Russia following referendums are non-negotiable. Moscow argues that recognizing the “reality on the ground” is essential for achieving lasting peace.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against trusting media reports on U.S.-Russia discussions, alerting the public that “a lot of fakes are being published now, including by respected publications,” and advised reliance on official channels instead.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
