Putin advisor's surprise U.S. visit aimed at easing tensions
Kirill Dmitriev, an advisor on business to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, will travel to the U.S. this week. As reported by Reuters on Wednesday, this will be the first visit of a high-ranking Russian official to Washington since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), is set to meet with U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who has also been participating in talks regarding the ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine for several months, two sources familiar with the matter reported. One source informed that the meeting is expected to take place as early as Wednesday.
CNN previously reported on the planned meeting, stating that Dmitriev and Witkoff will hold discussions to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Maybe. The resistance to US-Russia dialogue is real-driven by entrenched interests and old narratives. But what if improved relations are exactly what the world needs for lasting global security and peace - Dmitriev commented on CNN reports on his X channel.
CNN reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had lifted sanctions imposed on Dmitriev during his visit to Washington.
The White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the Russian Embassy in Washington have not yet confirmed Putin's advisor's visit to the United States.
- Trump is frustrated with the leaders on both sides of this war. He wants this war to end - White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated on Tuesday. However, she claimed that Trump is deeply engaged in discussions with Russia and Ukraine every day.
The spokeswoman referred to Trump's recent statements in which he said he was "very angry" at Vladimir Putin's proposal to establish a temporary government in Ukraine under UN supervision, though he later assured that he still believes the Russian leader wants peace and will keep his word.
Russia questions the existence of an independent Ukraine
Nevertheless, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that although he takes American peace proposals seriously, Russia cannot accept them.
- As far as we can see, there is no place in them today for our main demand, namely to solve the problems related to the root causes of this conflict, - he declared. - It is completely absent, and that must be overcome.
So far, the Kremlin, when speaking of "root causes," has essentially questioned the existence of an independent Ukrainian state.
Trump also threatened Volodymyr Zelensky with "big problems" if he withdraws from the agreement on Ukrainian resources. The American president maintains that it is Ukraine that wants to renegotiate the previously agreed text of the agreement, although media reports indicate that the U.S. set new terms, significantly increasing U.S. control over Ukraine's resources and economy.
