The chief economic envoy from Russia has arrived in the United States for “official” discussions, a few days following President Donald Trump’s announcement of stringent new sanctions on Russia, sources familiar with the visit exclusively informed CNN on Friday.
Kirill Dmitriev, leader of the Russian sovereign wealth fund (RDIF) and a special envoy for the Kremlin, is anticipated to hold meetings with Trump administration officials “to advance talks regarding the US-Russia relationship,” according to these sources.
A White House representative informed CNN that Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Dmitriev in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. In addition, GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna will also engage with the Russian special envoy, a source acquainted with the visit revealed to CNN.
Earlier this month, Luna announced on social media her intentions to meet Dmitriev, emphasizing the significance of the US maintaining “the relationship and conversations centered on peace and trade” with Russia. She commented, “Our two nations need not be adversaries. Trade alliances benefit all parties involved.”
On Friday, Dmitriev posted on X that his trip was “scheduled some time ago following an invitation from the US side.” He added that dialogue between his nation and the US is “crucial for global stability and must proceed with full recognition of Russia’s stance and respect for its national priorities.”
This visit takes place amid growing dissatisfaction in the US over Moscow’s refusal to halt its war in Ukraine and after Trump stated he had “canceled” a planned summit with Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, while urging Moscow to consent to an immediate ceasefire in the war with Ukraine.
Putin responded by asserting these sanctions would exert minimal effect on the Russian economy, describing them as an effort to pressure Moscow.
“No nation with self-respect acts under duress,” he stated on Thursday.
The Russian president mentioned that during talks with Trump, he warned that the sanctions could influence global oil prices, including those in the US.
Dmitriev, a notable Kremlin advocate for enhanced economic collaboration between Russia and the United States, recently suggested building a “Trump-Putin” tunnel connecting Alaska and the Russian Far East.
Originally from Soviet-era Ukraine and educated at Harvard and Stanford in the US, Dmitriev has worked as a consultant with the American firm McKinsey and as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Dmitriev was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, which labeled him a “close associate of Putin” along with his family.
In April, Dmitriev became the first Russian official to visit Washington, DC since Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine. His visit, during which he met with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, was seen as a significant development in the then-improving relations between the Kremlin and the White House.
The US government temporarily lifted sanctions against Dmitriev to enable the State Department to issue him a visa to enter the US, a source told CNN in April.
Clarification: This article has been updated to include details regarding Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s scheduled meeting with Dmitriev.
CNN’s Kylie Atwood and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.