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By Gabe Whisnant
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Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, expressed optimism Thursday about the improving relationship between Moscow and Washington, noting a "positive dynamic" and praising the Trump administration's approach.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department via email on Thursday night for comment.
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Why It Matters
Efforts by Putin and President Donald Trump to rebuild U.S.-Russia relations have raised concerns in Ukraine and among its European allies, who fear the two leaders might strike a deal to end the war that excludes them and jeopardizes their security.
Dmitriev's arrival in Washington marks the first official visit of a Russian official to the United States since Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
What to Know
Dmitriev, in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials amid ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, emphasized that although further meetings are necessary to resolve remaining issues, there is a commitment to finding compromises.
Putin's envoy also highlighted that some forces are attempting to sow tension between Russia and the United States by distorting Russia's true position.
Today, numerous forces interested in maintaining tension stand in the way of restoring constructive cooperation... These forces are deliberately distorting Russia's position, trying to disrupt any steps towards dialogue, sparing neither money nor resources for this," Dmitriev said on Telegram.
"Opponents of the rapprochement are afraid that Russia and the United States will find common ground, begin to understand each other better and build cooperation both in international affairs and in the economy," he said.
While he did not reveal any specifics about a potential ceasefire agreement, Dmitriev said the Trump administration is "listening to the position of the Russian Federation" and that the timing for the next round of negotiations will be decided "in the near future."
"Significant progress has been made on the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine," Dmitriev said.
Key discussion topics included cooperation in rare earth metals production and Arctic affairs. Dmitriev also said efforts are underway to restore direct air links between Russia and the United States.
Dmitriev said that American companies are ready to return to Russia and step into the roles left vacant by European firms that exited following the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
He also noted that discussions are underway to restore direct flights between the two countries.
Trump himself has oscillated on his tone toward Putin, telling NBC in an interview on Sunday he was "very angry" and "pissed off" with the Kremlin leader over attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's legitimacy "because that's not going in the right location."
What People Are Saying
Dmitriev said on Thursday: "U.S. companies are ready to occupy the niches left by European companies that left the Russian Federation."
Dmitriev later told Fox News' Bret Baier: "Russia is not asking for lifting of [U.S.] sanctions" as part of a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.
He also told Baier that, "Some security guarantees [for Ukraine] in some form may be acceptable" amid peace talks.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday on Fox News Sunday: "I just don't see that he [Putin] wants to take all of Europe...I take him at his word in this sense, and I believe the Europeans are beginning to come to that belief, too," he said.
"This is not me taking sides," Witkoff said. "I'm just identifying what the issues are. I've never seen a conflict that can be resolved without level-setting the facts, and we're level-setting the facts."
He doubled down on his position during his Fox News Sunday interview, telling Bream that Russia views these areas as Russian territory and the referendums "justify these actions."
What Happens Next
Following talks between American, Ukrainian and Russian delegations last month, the White House has still expressed optimism that the Trump administration can broker a peace deal in the coming weeks.
Update: 4/3/25, 6:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/3/25, 7:19 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/3/25, 7:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/3/25, 8 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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