Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is actively engaging with the U.S. press during a visit to the United States, seeking to lay out Russia’s perspective on ending the war in Ukraine.
In two interviews with major networks - CNN and Fox News - Dmitriev said Russia and Ukraine, with U.S. involvement, are close to ending the conflict through diplomacy.
According to Dmitriev, the process is moving faster than many in Washington realize, and U.S. frustration stems from a misunderstanding of the talks’ dynamics.
Dmitriev emphasized that it is essential to respect and account for Russia’s interests in the process, including security guarantees for Ukraine, protection of Russian-speaking populations, Ukraine’s neutral status, and territorial issues.
On the last point, Dmitriev said Kyiv has begun to assess its position more realistically, agreeing to a freeze of the conflict along current lines.
“Zelensky has taken a serious step by acknowledging that it’s about the front line. His previous position was that Russia must completely leave Ukraine, so, in fact, I think we are quite close to a diplomatic solution,” the Russian special representative said.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that Russia is not satisfied with a halt to hostilities on those terms.
Addressing recent U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, Dmitriev told reporters the issue would not be raised at his upcoming meetings with American officials.
“Sanctions are not that big a deal,” he said. The main goal, he added, is to convey Russia’s position.
Dmitriev also said a meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, could still take place.
“The Russians want too much”: it appears the historic meeting in Budapest won’t happen.
Earlier we reported that Dmitriev is scheduled to meet today with U.S. President’s special representative Steve Witkoff.
