The top Russian economic negotiator said Thursday that he is in Washington to discuss improving relations. This is the highest-level visit of a Kremlin representative to the United States since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Kirill Dmitriev said that he “held meetings in Washington with officials of President Donald Trump’s administration,” but did not elaborate.
U.S. Media reported that Dmitriev had arrived in the United States on Wednesday. He was to meet Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, but his itinerary wasn’t made public.
The talks take place as Trump seeks warmer relations with Moscow. He has reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and held direct talks with Russian officials with the hope of brokering an end to the three-year Ukraine conflict.
Dmitriev announced the visit on Telegram by writing: “The dialogue between Russia, the United States and the rest of the world was destroyed completely under Biden’s administration.”
He said, “Restoring dialog is not easy, and it’s a gradual process. But every meeting, each frank discussion allows us to progress.”
Trump Is ‘Angry’
The White House did not publicly comment on the visit. However, the Kremlin stated that details would only be released after Dmitriev finished his meetings.
Dmitriev has not said what will be discussed at his meetings. However, the trip is coming after Trump expressed frustration over the slow pace of ceasefire talks for Ukraine.
Putin rejected last month a joint U.S. and Ukrainian proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire. He has also made the U.S. proposed truce at the Black Sea conditional on the West lifting some sanctions.
Trump told NBC News on the weekend that he felt “very angry and pissed” at Putin for suggesting the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of a peace agreement.
He claimed that he had “a very positive relationship” with the Russian counterpart and added that “the anger quickly dissipates…if he is doing the right thing.”
As part of a settlement for peace, Russia hopes Washington will lift the massive sanctions imposed on its economy. This includes those that target its state-owned agricultural bank.
Dmitriev was only allowed to visit after his restrictions were temporarily relaxed, according to U.S. media.
Dmitriev, a former Goldman Sachs Banker and Stanford University graduate in California, has played a major role in the rapprochement of Russia and the United States. He took part in the initial round of talks in Saudi Arabia with Trump officials in February.
Witkoff had already visited Russia last month to meet Putin.
Sergei Ryabkov, a senior Russian diplomat, said on Thursday that recent contacts have not yet led to a “breakthrough.”
He told the Russian magazine International Life that “slowly, step by step, we’re beginning to move towards normality.”
