WASHINGTON: Russia, the United States and Ukraine are close to securing a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in Ukraine.
That’s the view of Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, speaking after arriving in Washington for talks with US officials.
Dmitriev said that a meeting between Donald Trump and Putin had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders would likely meet at a later date.
The planned summit was put on hold on Tuesday, as Russia’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire cast a cloud over attempts at negotiations. Trump said he canceled the planned meeting with Putin in Budapest because of a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts toward ending the conflict.
On Wednesday, Trump said: “Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don’t go anywhere. I just felt it was time. We waited a long time.”
However, an upbeat Dmitriev on Friday said: “I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution.”
Battle lines drawn
European nations are working with Ukraine on a new proposal for a ceasefire in the conflict along current battle lines, according to European diplomats, mainly incorporating ideas already under discussion while pressing to keep the United States in a central role.
“It’s a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that it’s about battle lines,” Dmitriev added. “His previous position was that Russia should leave completely – so actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out.”
Trump had announced last week that he and Putin would meet soon in Hungary to try to bring an end to the conflict. Russia has long demanded that Ukraine agree to cede more territory before any ceasefire.
In March, Putin said he supported the idea of a ceasefire, adding it should lead to “an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis.”
Dmitriev’s visit to the United States for a long-planned meeting takes place against the backdrop of newly announced US sanctions on two of Russia’s biggest oil companies – a move aimed at pressing Putin to end the conflict.
Despite the move, Dmitriev said dialogue between Russia and the US will continue, although he predicted US oil sanctions would “backfire”.
“It is certainly only possible if Russia’s interests are taken into account and treated with respect,” Dmitriev added.
Europeans step up diplomacy
Ukraine’s European allies said frozen Russian assets needed to be used quickly to fund support for Kyiv, one of several measures discussed in London talks on Friday to increase the pressure on Putin.
Divisions remain in Europe over Kyiv though. The 27-nation EU is struggling to finalize a plan to use these frozen Russian assets as collateral for a massive loan to Ukraine. Belgium, where much of the money is held, is seeking assurances other countries will share the burden of any Russian economic retaliation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted “Coalition of the Willing” discussions in London with Zelenskyy and other leaders, with reparation issues, as well as taking Russian oil and gas off the global market and giving Kyiv more long-range missiles on the agenda
Starmer insisted there was “absolute clarity” during the meeting that progress on using frozen Russian assets to fund a loan to support Ukraine must be realized quickly.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said Trump was still reviewing whether to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the EU should follow British and US sanctions on Russian oil firms.
Moscow has promised a “painful response” if the assets are seized. Putin also said the US sanctions on oil companies were an unfriendly act but would not significantly affect the Russian economy.
