Here are the key points from the article:
* The first high-level Russian official to visit the U.S. since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is Alexei Dmitriev, a representative of Vladimir Putin.
* Dmitriev’s representatives and the U.S. government declined to comment on the visit when approached by CNN, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the trip was possible.
* Dmitriev has expressed support for Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk on X, a platform banned in Russia.
* The visit signals the Trump administration’s push to restore ties with Moscow amid efforts to broker a swift peace deal in Ukraine.
* Dmitriev claimed that Washington and Moscow were discussing potential economic cooperation, particularly in the extraction of Russia’s rare earth minerals.
* The U.S. and Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire on March 11, but Russia rejected it, accepting only a limited truce on strikes against energy infrastructure and military operations in the Black Sea.
* Kyiv has since accused Moscow of violating the energy ceasefire, while the Black Sea truce remains uncertain as Russia links its continuation to sanction relief.
Additionally, the article mentions:
* The upcoming Ramstein summit to take place on April 11 in Brussels, where the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting will be held.
* A video released by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) showing a drone attack on Russian landing craft and an air defense system in Crimea.
The article also notes that:
* The U.S. has imposed sanctions on several Russian companies and individuals, including billionaire Andrei Rottenberg’s wife, who was removed from the list.
* The article provides context to the Ukraine conflict and the efforts of various countries to broker a peace deal.