Russian top negotiators: US companies would be welcome in lifted sanctions
Russian top negotiators: US companies would be welcome in lifted sanctions
The leading Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that in his Trump administration in Washington, DC no relief of the sanctions. However, he emphasized that the punitive measures could be lifted to promote business transactions between the United States and Russia.
conversations about economic cooperation
"We are currently not asking for a relaxation of the sanctions. We only discuss that if America wants to do more business with Russia, of course," Dmitriev said in an interview with CNN reporter Phil Matting in the program "The Lead".
sanctions against Russia
The United States, together with their European allies, imposed numerous sanctions against Moscow, on the basis of which war against Ukraine . Dmitriev itself is under US sanctions. European heads of state and government have made it clear that they believe that now is not the right time to reduce the pressure on Russia by lifting sanctions.
meeting in Washington
dmitriev, a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin, met on Wednesday with the leading US representative Steve Witkoff. Witkoff has already spoken to Putin twice in Moscow. It is unclear who dmitriev spoke to in the US capital. An informed source confirmed that further meetings between the USA and Russia are expected, but remains uncertain where or when it will take place.
Restoration of Russian-American relationships
In a separate interview with the Russian state medium of Tass, Dmitriev said that the Trump administration "understands Russia's concerns". "A central topic is the restoration of Russian-American relationships, the dialogue that was stopped and interrupted under the administration of Joe Biden," said Dmitriev after his meeting, which was published on TASS.
progress in the discussion process
In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev emphasized that progress has already been made. He referred to a deal conveyed by the White House, which excludes an attack on the energy infrastructure. However, Russia has continued its rocket attacks on Ukraine since the alleged conclusion of the deal. Moscow also set a number of preconditions - including the lifting of sanctions - to agree to a ceasefire supported by the USA in the Black Sea.The way to a diplomatic solution
"I think there is an understanding of how we can finalize the contract. There were many discussions in this area, but there are many differences. I think there are several approaches to edit all of these topics, and only a diplomatic solution can be possible," Dmitriev told CNN.
on Thursdaydmitriev as a key person in the negotiations
dmitriev has emerged as a key person in the negotiations to terminate the war in Ukraine. In February he traveled to Riad in Saudi Arabia with high Russian officials to talk about a settlement of the conflict, which began in 2022 by Russia. He also worked with Witkoff to free the American teacher Marc Fogel from Russia, which was recognized by the Trump administration as a gesture of goodwill.
Important steps for trust formation
dmitriev described Fogel's release as "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 asked to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. "We are leading the advance to achieve this. Europe was not successful in dealing with President Putin, but I think I will be successful," said Trump in a press release.
sanctions and visa
President Biden had sanctioned Dmitriev-like Putin-because of Russia's invasion in Ukraine. The Ministry of Finance said in 2022: "Putin and his inner circle of followers have long rely on RDIF and DMITRIEV to get funds abroad, including in the United States." These sanctions have been temporarily lifted to enable the Foreign Ministry to grant a visa for visiting the USA.
The CNN reporters Kylie Atwood, Mariya Knight and Max Saltman contributed to this report.
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