Russia’s Dmitriev to Hold Talks in Washington Amid Push to Restore US Ties

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and recently appointed special envoy for international economic cooperation, is expected to visit Washington this week for talks with U.S. officials, marking the first high-level Russian visit since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

According to a source familiar with the plans, Dmitriev will meet with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss potential areas of cooperation and explore ways to stabilize U.S.-Russia relations. The meeting, first reported by CNN, signals a potential thaw as both nations face growing pressure to find diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.

In response to the report, Dmitriev posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Maybe. The resistance to US–Russia dialogue is real—driven by entrenched interests and old narratives. But what if improved relations are exactly what the world needs for lasting global security and peace?”

The White House, U.S. State Department, and the Russian Embassy have not commented on the meeting.

Dmitriev’s visit comes after recent phone calls between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, with Trump expressing interest in a future summit. Russia, under heavy Western sanctions since its 2022 invasion, is eager to revive foreign investment and diversify its war-driven economy.

Dmitriev revealed that early discussions with U.S. counterparts have touched on joint projects, including a rare earth metals initiative. Russia, which holds the fifth-largest global reserves, views cooperation in this sector as strategic, especially as these materials are essential for lasers and military applications.

Additionally, Russia is pushing to attract investors to its Arctic region. President Putin aims to boost trade through the Northern Sea Route, shifting focus from Europe to Asia due to ongoing sanctions.