The United States and Russia have made “significant progress” on a possible Ukraineceasefire, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has claimed, after two days of talks in Washington with officials from Donald Trump’s administration. Mr Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said discussions were “constructive and respectful” and also touched on economic ties, Arctic cooperation, rare earth metals and restoring direct flights.
He said US firms were eager to replace European companies that had exited the Russian market, although he provided no further details. American officials have not yet responded to those assertions. The talks came as figures in Mr Trump’s inner circle reportedly urged caution over any direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a full ceasefire is secured.
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Russia evades Donald Trump's tariff blitz while Ukraine hit with 10% levy
Donald Trump did not add Russia to the list of 180 nations now facing retaliatory tariffs, despite including of US allies and war-torn Ukraine.
Following the US president's "Liberation Day" announcement, a White House official told Washington DC outlet NOTUS' that Russia was spared due to existing sanctions over the war, which have effectively nullified trade between the two countries.
However, Kyiv is now bracing for a 10% retaliatory tariff, along with numerous other nations once part of the Soviet Union. The White House has been quick to justify its decision to exclude Russia from the sweeping new tariffs that take effect today.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained to Axios that current US sanctions against Moscow have already cut off any significant trade, making additional tariffs redundant.
'Significant' ceasefire update after Vladimir Putin avoids Trump tariffs
The United States and Russia have made “significant progress” on a possible Ukraineceasefire, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has claimed, after two days of talks in Washington with officials from Donald Trump’s administration.
Mr Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said discussions were “constructive and respectful” and also touched on economic ties, Arctic cooperation, rare earth metals and restoring direct flights.
He said US firms were eager to replace European companies that had exited the Russian market, although he provided no further details. American officials have not yet responded to those assertions.
The talks came as figures in Mr Trump’s inner circle reportedly urged caution over any direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a full ceasefire is secured.
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