Putin Envoy Kirill Dmitriev Visits Washington for Talks

Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, is set to visit Washington this week for discussions with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, marking the first senior Russian visit since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meetings aim to ease tensions and potentially strengthen bilateral relations, amidst ongoing efforts from the Trump administration to negotiate an end to the conflict. Dmitriev's visit is significant as it comes after the temporary lifting of sanctions to allow his entry and follows recent communications between Presidents Trump and Putin focused on improving ties. Dmitriev expressed that resistance to U.S.-Russia dialogue is driven by entrenched interests, but he believes that better relations could promote global security and peace. The discussions may also touch on joint economic projects, such as rare earth metal exploration, as Russia seeks to attract international investment amid Western sanctions. Overall, the visit represents a crucial moment in U.S.-Russia relations, with both sides appearing eager to explore potential pathways to de-escalation.