Moscow [Russia], October 26: Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Friday said that dialogue was continuing between Moscow and Washington despite the latest US sanctions against Russia and President Donald Trump's cancellation of an upcoming meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
"Arrived in the US to continue the US-Russia dialogue - visit planned a while ago based on an invitation from the US side," Dmitriev said on social media platform X.
"Such dialogue is vital for the world and must continue with the full understanding of Russia's position and respect for its national interests." According to US media reports, Dmitriev is expected to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Saturday.
Trump recently spoke out in favour of freezing the current front lines as part of any effort to end the conflict between Russia and neighbouring Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a corresponding statement.
When asked why Putin had not agreed to freeze the lines of conflict, Dmitriev told US broadcaster CNN: "Well, I think Russia really wants not just a ceasefire, but the final solution to the conflict." A few days ago, the US government imposed new sanctions against Russia for the first time in his second term in office.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explicitly cited "President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war" as he announced the measures.
Shortly after the sanctions were announced, Trump said that he had called off the previously planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, postponing it indefinitely. Dmitriev now emphasised on CNN that the meeting would take place, albeit probably later. Putin had previously said that Trump was most likely talking about postponing the meeting. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
