A top Russian negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington, D.C., sparking hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Despite past sanctions, including those imposed by the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Russia is engaged in “good discussions” to end its war in Ukraine after three years.
Dmitriev praised the Trump administration for its efforts in peace negotiations and criticized the Biden administration for not engaging with Russia. He stated that President Trump’s team successfully understood the solution space and achieved a historic first de-escalation by stopping hits on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly violated an agreed energy ceasefire since mid-March. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared information about Russian violations, including a drone attack in Kherson, with the US. Dmitriev claimed Ukraine also violated the ceasefire but stated it’s not being reported in Western media.
The US imposed tariffs on close allies and over 180 countries, excluding Russia due to non-trade activities. However, Russia’s total goods trade with the US was estimated at $3.5 billion in 2024. Dmitriev attributed Russia’s exclusion from the tariff list as a “technical issue” for the Trump administration.
Dmitriev suggested future economic collaboration and rare earths/minerals deal to reestablish ties and partnerships between Russia and the US. He claimed Putin wants to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine, but Russia has no preconditions for sanctions relief as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/top-russian-negotiator-shares-status-peace-talks-after-meeting-us-counterpart-washington-dc