The Kremlin is assembling a team of high-level negotiators to engage in direct talks with the United States in an effort to end the war in Ukraine.
The members of the Kremlin team have not been publicly announced, but CNN has learned that it will include senior political, intelligence, and economic figures, including the Russian official who played a key behind-the-scenes role in the recent prisoner release agreement with the US.
Kirill Dmitriev, a close advisor to Putin, will focus on restoring economic relations between the US and Russia, as both sides seek to reach a peace agreement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Recently, Dmitriev has worked closely with the US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to secure the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from Russia.
“He is a gentleman from Russia. His name is Kirill, and he was very important in this exchange. He was a key interlocutor who connected both sides,” said Witkoff.
Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sanctioned sovereign wealth fund, has been an open supporter of Trump from within Russia’s political elite, stating that his victory in the US presidential election “shows that ordinary Americans are tired of the unprecedented lies, incompetence, and malice of the Biden administration.” He added that Trump’s victory opens new opportunities for restoring relations between Russia and the United States.
Dmitriev’s involvement by the Kremlin indicates that Russia’s negotiation strategy will focus on easing sanctions and repairing the damaged economic ties with the West.
