The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the special representative of the president for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev, said that he discussed with “key members of the Trump administration” the restoration of relations between the US and Russia.
The main statements made by Dmitriev, who went to Washington, are cited by the TASS agency, which writes that the head of the RDIF spoke to a “small group of journalists.”
Dmitriev said that "for the last two days" on the instructions of Vladimir Putin he held meetings, one of the main topics of which was "restoring the dialogue between Moscow and Washington." "And we certainly see that many players, different countries, are trying to disrupt this dialogue. And they are trying to prevent the resolution of those issues that need to be resolved," Dmitriev said.
According to him, the administration of current US President Donald Trump, unlike the administration of former President Joe Biden, “hears Russia’s position and understands its concerns.”
Dmitriev said that the meetings discussed issues of an "economic and investment nature. "We see a great desire of American companies to return to Russia. And we see that many American companies want to occupy those niches that European companies have left," Dmitriev said, adding that "only where it is useful for Russia, where the Russian government approves."
Possible cooperation in the Arctic, rare earth metals and “in various other sectors” was also discussed, Dmitriev said.
In addition, Dmitriev said that Moscow and Washington discussed the restoration of direct air traffic. "Our embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working on a very large number of important issues, including practical issues for Russians. And in fact, active work is underway to restore direct air traffic. And we hope to make progress on this issue," Dmitriev said. He did not provide any other details.
The dates for new negotiations between Russia and the US will be determined "in the near future," Dmitriev added. According to him, "positive dynamics" are being recorded in relations between Russia and the US and there is a "creative mood."
