Will a Trump-Putin Summit Occur Later?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dmitriev believes a Trump-Putin summit will happen but may be delayed.
- New sanctions on Russian oil companies aim to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
- The dialogue between Russia and the US is critical for future relations.
- Congress shows renewed interest in engaging with Russia.
- The proposed Putin-Trump Tunnel symbolizes a potential for unity.
Washington, Oct 26 (NationPress) Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy for investment and economic cooperation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed his confidence that a Trump-Putin summit is on the horizon, albeit "probably at a later date".
Reports indicate that Dmitriev is set to meet with US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, this Saturday in Miami, Florida.
This upcoming meeting follows Trump's recent cancellation of a planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, alongside the announcement from the US Treasury Department imposing sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the two leading Russian oil companies, as part of a strategy to advocate for a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Xinhua.
Dmitriev mentioned on social media platform X that his visit was "arranged some time ago based on an invitation from the US side".
During an interview with CNN, he remarked that the sanctions, marking the first during Trump's second term, wouldn't significantly impact Russia but could lead to increased gasoline prices in the US, reiterating Putin's stance that Russia will not succumb to pressure.
He added, "The Russia-US dialogue will persist, but it can only take place if Russia's interests are respected and acknowledged."
After a phone call with Putin and a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, Trump urged both Russia and Ukraine to "halt their advances" to resolve their ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, advocating for "an immediate ceasefire" and stating that the White House is ready to take further steps if deemed necessary.
Trump also confirmed the cancellation of his meeting with Putin in Hungary, saying it "didn't feel right to me".
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the US and its allies have enacted several rounds of financial and trade sanctions against Russia, targeting its banks, defense sectors, and energy exports.
Dmitriev previously met Witkoff in Washington in April, during which the US government temporarily lifted sanctions against him to facilitate the issuance of a visa.
On Friday afternoon, Dmitriev shared an image of an in-flight map display, showing what is believed to be his flight over Massachusetts, nearing New York, as reported by Moscow Times.
His visit also aligns with a growing interest in Congress to rekindle dialogue with Russia.
Earlier in October, Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a Trump ally, mentioned plans to meet with Dmitriev "later this month", without disclosing the agenda.
Last week, Dmitriev proposed a conceptual Putin-Trump Tunnel between Alaska and Russia as a "symbol of unity", suggesting that Elon Musk's Boring Company could construct the $8 billion underwater link within eight years.