Russian Envoy Meets U.S. Officials to Discuss Sanctions Relief and Ceasefire in Ukraine

Kirill Dmitrijew, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, is in Washington negotiating sanctions relief as a precondition for a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict.

Kirill Dmitrijew, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is representing the Kremlin in talks with U.S. officials in Washington, including Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.
Russia has tied its willingness to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine to partial sanctions relief, a key focus of the ongoing negotiations.
The discussions come as U.S.-Russia relations remain strained, with economic cooperation drastically reduced due to sanctions imposed after the Ukraine war began.
President Trump has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations, which remain stalled despite prior discussions in Saudi Arabia.
Dmitrijew, who is personally sanctioned, emphasized that rebuilding U.S.-Russia relations will be a gradual and challenging process.