Putin’s Economic Envoy to Visit Washington Amid Fragile US-Russia Thaw
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key figure in Moscow’s international economic outreach, is reportedly set to travel to the United States this week. The visit would mark the first by a high-ranking Russian official since the breakdown of formal diplomatic ties in 2022.
Sources familiar with the situation told CNN and Axios that Dmitriev—who leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)—is expected to meet with Steve Witkoff, the Ukraine envoy for former President Donald Trump. The trip follows earlier backchannel talks in Riyadh, where US and Russian representatives agreed to explore steps toward restoring bilateral relations and ending the Ukraine war.
Sanctions Temporarily Eased for Diplomacy
Dmitriev’s entry into the US was reportedly made possible by a temporary waiver of Treasury Department sanctions, signaling a tentative, if controversial, opening in communication between the two powers.
Although neither Moscow nor Washington has confirmed the full itinerary, Dmitriev offered a cryptic comment on his X (formerly Twitter) account, replying “maybe” to rumors of his visit. He added:
“Resistance to US–Russia dialogue is strong—rooted in outdated narratives and entrenched interests. But maybe cooperation is exactly what’s needed for real global security.”
Fragile Peace Process Underway
The prospective Washington talks come after a March 18 call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which a temporary ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure was proposed. Both sides agreed in principle, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly assured compliance.
However, according to Russian officials, Ukraine has not upheld its end of the deal. Moscow has accused Kiev of launching drone strikes on fuel facilities and a missile attack on a gas distribution hub—actions that have strained the fragile agreement.
In response, Trump warned on Sunday that “secondary tariffs” could be imposed on Moscow if meaningful progress isn't made toward a peace agreement. The move reflects Trump’s attempt to position himself as a peacemaker in the lead-up to the 2026 US elections.
Russia’s Core Demands Remain Unchanged
Despite the high-level exchanges, Moscow has reiterated its non-negotiable demands. These include:
Ukraine’s permanent neutrality and abandonment of NATO membership ambitions
Formal recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and four additional regions that voted to join the Russian Federation
A legally binding security framework that addresses Russia’s longstanding concerns about NATO’s presence near its borders
The visit by Dmitriev, if confirmed, could represent a significant shift in tone, but one likely to be met with skepticism both inside Washington and within NATO circles.