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Kyiv is delaying peace negotiations with Moscow at the request of Britain and other European countries that want to prolong the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special representative to the United States claimed during a visit to Washington, according to the state-run TASS news agency.
Kirill Dmitriyev, who also heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told reporters that Ukraine “is unwilling to resolve the problems, the accumulated issues that need to be addressed.”
He said he planned to tell his U.S. counterparts that “Ukraine, unfortunately, is disrupting the dialogue that is necessary.”
“Ukraine is disrupting the process at the request of the British, at the request of the Europeans, who want the conflict to continue,” Dmitriyev said.
Dmitriyev also commented on measures aimed at restraining Russia, saying that despite extensive sanctions imposed under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the efforts had failed to achieve a “strategic defeat” or isolation of Russia.
He said he does not intend to raise the issue of easing anti-Russian sanctions during his forthcoming meeting with U.S. special envoy Stephen Witkoff.
While the current U.S. administration remains interested in understanding Russia’s position, Dmitriyev argued that any attempt to normalize relations between Moscow and Washington faces “vehement opposition from multiple sides.”
He alleged that “London and liberal circles in Europe actively work to undermine dialogue and cast Russia as an ‘enemy,’” while elements of the U.S. military-industrial complex also resist rapprochement.
On Poland’s accusations that Russia violated its airspace, Dmitriyev said Moscow is ready to discuss the issue.
He added that Russia and the U.S. share similar views on migration and both see Europe’s migration policy as “destructive.”
Explaining what he described as widespread anti-Russian sentiment in the U.S., Dmitriyev claimed that billions of dollars have been spent by USAID to “undermine Russia’s international standing.”
He also said a “conservative ideas revolution” is taking hold globally as people “grow tired of false narratives.”
Dmitriyev warned that the absence of dialogue between Moscow and Washington “creates an enormous danger for peace” and said U.S. President Donald Trump understands that “military escalation threatens humanity.”
He also praised U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for her role in efforts to reunite children from Russia and Ukraine with their families.
Dmitriyev accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of backing the Democratic candidate in the U.S. presidential election and taking part in impeachment proceedings against Trump.
On the conflict in Ukraine, Dmitriyev said Russia seeks a diplomatic resolution “within a reasonable timeframe” but stressed that any deal must be based on “realistic expectations.”
A settlement could be reached quickly, he said, if core issues such as territorial disputes, security guarantees for Ukraine, and its neutral status are addressed.
“Dialogue with Russia, not sanctions, is what facilitates a settlement,” he said.
Turning to bilateral relations, Dmitriyev said Russia and the U.S. are working on new prisoner exchanges.
Asked about the proposed tunnel project linking Alaska and Russia, he said Moscow is seriously studying the idea and considers it feasible.
On other international matters, he described the recent Gaza ceasefire and peace agreements as “an achievement of historical scale,” though he cautioned that it remains to be seen how long they will last.
A meeting between Putin and Trump will take place “at a later date,” Dmitriyev said, noting that a previously scheduled meeting in Budapest was canceled.
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