Russian negotiations: US companies welcome when sanctions are lifted

Russian negotiations: US companies welcome when sanctions are lifted

The leading Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that in his Trump administration in Washington, D.C. has not mentioned the sanctions. However, he noted that the punitive measures could be lifted to offer US business with Russia a better framework.

conversations about business relationships

"At this point we do not ask for a lifting of the sanctions. We only discuss that if America wants to do more business with Russia, this is of course possible," Dmitriev told CNN reporter Phil Matting in the program "The Lead".

sanctions and their effects

Together with their European allies, a variety of sanctions against Moscow caused War against Ukraine . Dmitriev itself is under US sanctions. European leaders agree that the time to loosen the pressure against Russia is currently not cheap.

negotiations with US representatives

dmitriev, a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin, met on Wednesday with the high-ranking US representative Steve Witkoff. Witkoff has already spoken to Putin twice in Moscow. It is unclear who dmitriev spoke to during his stay in the US capital. An informed source reported that further meetings between the United States and Russia are to be expected, but so far there are no information about the place and time.

Russian-American relationships

In a separate interview with the Russian State Agency Tass, Dmitriev said the Trump administration "understand the concerns of Russia". "One of the main topics is the restoration of Russian-American relationships, the dialogue that was stopped and interrupted under the Joe Biden administration," added Dmitriev after his meeting in a film material published by TASS.

progress in the negotiations

In his interview with CNN, Dmitriev said that progress has already been made. He referred to an agreement negotiated by white house that provides not to attack the energy infrastructure. Russia continued to perform a number of rocket attacks on Ukraine, despite the supposed agreement. In addition, Moscow has set up a number of preconditions, including the cancellation of sanctions, to agree to a ceasefire supported by the USA in the Black Sea.

trust and positive solutions

"I think there is an understanding of how we can finalize the agreement. There were many discussions in this area, there are still many differences, but I think there are several approaches to tackle all of these topics, and only a diplomatic solution can be possible," Dmitriev told CNN.

Dmitriev's role in the negotiations

dmitriev has established itself as a central figure in the negotiations to terminate the war in Ukraine. He traveled to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia with high-ranking Russian officials in February to discuss a solution to the conflict that began in 2022 by Russia. He also worked with Witkoff to clear the American teacher Marc Fogel from Russia, which the Trump administration praised as a gesture of goodwill.

conclusion: urgency for conflict resolution

dmitriev said on Thursday that Fogel's release was "a very important example of how we can build trust and find positive solutions." US President Donald Trump recognized Dmitriev's visit on Thursday and again called for a quick end to the war in Ukraine. "We are a leader in the efforts to end. Europe was not successful in dealing with President Putin, but I think I will be," said Trump in a press conference.

The bid administration had sanctioned Dmitriev-like Putin-because of the invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry of Finance said in 2022 that "Putin and his inner circle have been dependent on RDIF and DMITRIEV for a long time to obtain funds abroad, including the United States." These sanctions have been temporarily lifted to enable the Foreign Ministry to grant a visa for entry into the USA.

reports of CNN, with contributions by Kylie Atwood, Mariya Knight and Max Saltman.