Putin’s envoy suggests possibility of new talks with US next week
Photo: Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (Getty Images)
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, announced new negotiations between Russia and the US. According to him, these new contacts are scheduled to take place next week, reports Russian media.
Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy on economic cooperation with foreign countries, stated that Russia sees "the first significant steps from the US." He expressed "cautious optimism and fragile hope that the dialogue has resumed."
Russian media also reported that Dmitriev mentioned new contacts between Russia and the US could take place next week.
Earlier this week, Dmitriev visited Washington for negotiations. He met with Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin's envoy was not only in the US. Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia is looking for a way to release its frozen assets.
Negotiations on Ukraine war
Two rounds of negotiations between Ukraine and the US, as well as US and Russian delegations, took place in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine and Russia are not engaged in direct talks on ending the war.
The most recent meeting took place on March 23-24. During that meeting, the delegations, with US mediation, discussed the security of civilian shipping in the Black Sea and the cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure.
Ukraine agreed to the US proposal, but Russia has yet to provide a clear response while continuing to make demands.
Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington does not want talks without progress. He hinted that sanctions are being prepared against Russia if it does not take a step toward peace.
For more details on the current stage of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
