Kremlin Assembles Negotiation Team For US Talks On Ukraine

 The Kremlin is forming a high-level team to engage in direct negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

While the members of Russia’s delegation have not been officially announced, the team is expected to include top political, intelligence, and economic figures. Among them is Kirill Dmitriev, a key figure in previous diplomatic efforts who played a behind-the-scenes role in a recent U.S. prisoner exchange.

Economic Ties at the Forefront

Dmitriev, a close adviser to President Vladimir Putin, will focus on economic matters, particularly efforts to restore financial relations between Russia and the U.S. as part of the broader peace talks. His involvement signals that sanctions relief and economic cooperation may be central to Russia’s negotiating strategy.

Dmitriev previously worked with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to secure the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from Russian custody. Witkoff acknowledged Dmitriev’s role, stating, “There’s a gentleman from Russia—his name is Kirill—and he was an important interlocutor, bridging the two sides.”

Dmitriev’s Role in US-Russia Relations

As the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, Dmitriev has long advocated for closer ties between Moscow and Washington. Following the U.S. presidential election, he expressed optimism about potential shifts in U.S.-Russia relations, calling the election outcome a rejection of “lies, incompetence, and malice” and an opportunity for a diplomatic reset.

Born in Soviet-era Ukraine, Dmitriev studied at Harvard and Stanford before working at major U.S. firms, including McKinsey and Goldman Sachs. His background has positioned him as a key intermediary between Russian and Western economic interests.

Sanctions and Diplomatic Hurdles

Despite his efforts to foster dialogue, Dmitriev remains under U.S. sanctions due to his close ties to Putin. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned him following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, citing his role as a “close associate” of the Russian president.

His inclusion in the Kremlin’s negotiation team underscores Moscow’s intent to prioritize economic discussions alongside broader geopolitical negotiations. As peace talks develop, the extent to which Washington is willing to engage with sanctioned Russian officials remains a key question.