Quietly, without headlines but with a clear political signal: Kirill Dmitriev, a key Russian negotiator and close ally of Vladimir Putin, is traveling to Washington for the first time since the war in Ukraine began. And this is not just a diplomatic visit. It is part of a much broader and more complex political deal—one in which Kyiv’s place is far from guaranteed.
For the first time since 2022: Moscow and Washington restore direct contact
According to CNN, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and longtime Putin confidant, is expected to arrive in the U.S. capital in the coming days. He is scheduled to meet with Steve Witkoff, a representative of Donald Trump’s administration, to discuss potential ways to end the war in Ukraine and reestablish bilateral ties between Russia and the United States.
This visit is significant not only because Dmitriev will be the first Russian official to visit Washington since the outbreak of the war, but also because it comes amid a sharp reversal in U.S. policy under President Trump regarding the conflict.
Since Trump returned to the White House, the course has changed dramatically: instead of arms shipments and pressure on Moscow, there’s talk of diplomacy, negotiations, and an attempted “reset” of relations.
When sanctions become flexible
One particularly noteworthy aspect is that the United States temporarily lifted sanctions against Dmitriev to allow the visit. Under President Joe Biden, Dmitriev—alongside Putin and other key figures—was placed under strict sanctions, with Washington viewing them as directly complicit in the invasion of Ukraine.
As the U.S. Treasury Department wrote in 2022:
“Putin and his inner circle have long relied on RDIF and Dmitriev to attract foreign capital, including from the United States.”
Now, according to CNN, the State Department approved the visa, while the Treasury received an official request for a temporary suspension of sanctions.
This exception raised eyebrows, even among American journalists. A State Department spokesperson said that “visa records are confidential under U.S. law,” refusing to comment on specific cases. A Treasury spokesperson also declined to provide any comment.
Who is Dmitriev, and what is he doing at the White House?
Kirill Dmitriev is not just an economist or government official. He is one of the Kremlin’s most trusted negotiators. A Harvard graduate, he has often served as a bridge between Putin and Western elites. His fund, RDIF, played a major role in attracting foreign investments into Russia prior to 2022 and acted as an unofficial diplomatic channel.
Recently, Dmitriev, together with Steve Witkoff, facilitated the release of American teacher Marc Fogel from a Russian prison. Trump’s team presented this event as a “gesture of goodwill” from Moscow.
And in February 2025, Dmitriev accompanied a high-level Russian delegation to secret talks in Riyadh, where serious discussions about ending the war in Ukraine reportedly began.
Trump’s new strategy: diplomacy instead of drones?
Since returning to the presidency, Donald Trump has turned U.S. foreign policy on its head. He froze military aid to Ukraine, called for an immediate ceasefire, and made it clear he has no intention of funding what he calls a “foreign war.”
Moreover, Trump has hinted that a peace agreement could include recognizing Russia’s control over already-occupied Ukrainian territories—a stance that closely mirrors the Kremlin’s rhetoric and has sparked backlash among many in the U.S. political establishment.
And yet, despite what appears to be a thaw in relations with Moscow, Trump is clearly frustrated. In a recent interview with Newsmax, he stated:
“Looks like Russia is dragging their feet. It pisses me off.”
He also admitted in an NBC interview that he was “annoyed with Putin” for criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to CNN sources, Trump is losing patience and increasingly questioning whether the Russian president can be trusted.
Zelensky under pressure—from Washington too
Perhaps even more alarming for Kyiv is the shift in Trump’s tone toward Volodymyr Zelensky. Over the weekend, he accused the Ukrainian president of trying to back out of a resource deal between the U.S. and Ukraine:
“If he doesn’t sign the deal, he’s going to have big problems,” Trump warned.
This statement has already been interpreted by American media as a clear sign that Washington’s patience is running out. While it may refer to an economic contract, the political implications could be far greater.
What’s really behind the negotiations? Ukraine—no longer at the table?
As the world focuses on battlefield updates, the real negotiations seem to be happening behind closed doors, and Ukraine doesn’t appear to be invited.
Analysts believe Dmitriev’s visit is not just symbolic but a test balloon for a new security architecture—one in which the United States and Russia explore potential compromises. And that compromise likely does not include full Ukrainian territorial restoration.
In this new reality, Zelensky may find himself in an extremely vulnerable position: with no new military support, growing pressure from his former chief ally, and increasing skepticism from parts of Europe.
A new axis: Washington–Moscow
The global political landscape has shifted. Biden is no longer in control. Europe is divided. And a new Washington–Moscow axis is taking shape—built around new figures and far from traditional diplomacy.
Dmitriev is not just coming to talk. He symbolizes a future peace that may come—but not necessarily a just one.
And the key question remains:
Is Ukraine even at the table anymore?
This article was prepared based on materials published by CNN. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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