Kremlin Discusses Envoy's Discussions in Washington
Kirill Dmitriev recently met with White House officials during a three-day visit to Washington, focused on initiatives to restore bilateral ties between Russia and the United States. The Kremlin expressed a measured sense of optimism regarding...
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Kirill Dmitriev recently met with White House officials during a three-day visit to Washington, focused on initiatives to restore bilateral ties between Russia and the United States. The Kremlin expressed a measured sense of optimism regarding the normalization of relations, as Dmitriev serves as President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy and heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
This visit marks a significant moment as Dmitriev is the highest-ranking Russian official to visit the US since diplomatic visits were halted in 2022. His trip followed participation in discussions in Riyadh.
When asked about the implications of Dmitriev’s trip for US-Russia relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised caution, stating, “Let’s first wait for his return to Moscow.” He noted, “There’s cautious optimism,” and emphasized the importance of continued efforts for improvement in relations, highlighting that these efforts require persistent work across various channels.
Dmitriev shared insights from his meetings with White House officials, claiming that Russia and the US had made “three steps forward” in their discussions over the two days. Among his engagements was a meeting with Steve Witkoff, former President Trump’s Middle East envoy, who has played a crucial role in US negotiations concerning Ukraine. Reports also indicated that Dmitriev held talks with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Markwayne Mullin.
The discussions reportedly centered on gradually restoring cooperation that had been disrupted by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022. Key topics included possible collaboration in the Arctic, the development of rare-earth minerals, and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
After the discussions, Dmitriev remarked on the progress made toward addressing the Ukraine conflict but cautioned that external parties were attempting to undermine the normalization efforts initiated by Trump in February. He asserted that Trump and his team possess a better understanding of Moscow’s expectations compared to the previous administration.
On the same day, Trump acknowledged Dmitriev’s visit, reiterating his call for a prompt end to the ongoing war. “We are spearheading the drive to get it done. Europe has not been successful in dealing with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, but I think I will be successful,” Trump stated. He also indicated to NBC his intention to speak with Putin again, potentially as soon as this week, following their prior conversation on March 18.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
This visit marks a significant moment as Dmitriev is the highest-ranking Russian official to visit the US since diplomatic visits were halted in 2022. His trip followed participation in discussions in Riyadh.
When asked about the implications of Dmitriev’s trip for US-Russia relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised caution, stating, “Let’s first wait for his return to Moscow.” He noted, “There’s cautious optimism,” and emphasized the importance of continued efforts for improvement in relations, highlighting that these efforts require persistent work across various channels.
Dmitriev shared insights from his meetings with White House officials, claiming that Russia and the US had made “three steps forward” in their discussions over the two days. Among his engagements was a meeting with Steve Witkoff, former President Trump’s Middle East envoy, who has played a crucial role in US negotiations concerning Ukraine. Reports also indicated that Dmitriev held talks with Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Markwayne Mullin.
The discussions reportedly centered on gradually restoring cooperation that had been disrupted by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022. Key topics included possible collaboration in the Arctic, the development of rare-earth minerals, and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
After the discussions, Dmitriev remarked on the progress made toward addressing the Ukraine conflict but cautioned that external parties were attempting to undermine the normalization efforts initiated by Trump in February. He asserted that Trump and his team possess a better understanding of Moscow’s expectations compared to the previous administration.
On the same day, Trump acknowledged Dmitriev’s visit, reiterating his call for a prompt end to the ongoing war. “We are spearheading the drive to get it done. Europe has not been successful in dealing with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, but I think I will be successful,” Trump stated. He also indicated to NBC his intention to speak with Putin again, potentially as soon as this week, following their prior conversation on March 18.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
