Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on April 3 that he sees "positive dynamics" in relations between Moscow and Washington, but differences remain and several more meetings are needed to resolve them.
"I think with the Trump administration we are now thinking about what is possible, what can really work and how we can find a long-term solution," Dmitriev told CNN after talks with members of President Donald Trump's administration in Washington.
"Without a doubt, we are noticing positive dynamics in our relations," Dmitriev told reporters in Washington earlier on April 3 after the meeting, Russian news agencies reported.
"Of course, there are disagreements on various points, but there is a process, there is a dialogue that, in our understanding, will help overcome these disagreements," Dmitriev told reporters.
"We will still need a series of meetings to resolve all our disagreements. But the main thing is to see a positive, creative attitude," he said.
Dmitriev said on Telegram that resuming dialogue is a "difficult and gradual process." "But every meeting, every honest conversation allows us to move forward," he said.
He did not name the Trump administration officials he met with, but said they behaved "with great respect, asked a lot of questions, found compromises." He said he had "invited colleagues from the United States to visit Russia," and that cooperation in rare earth metals production and the Arctic were also discussed.
He also said that work is underway to restore direct flights between Russia and the United States, and told the American television station Newsmax that Russia would like to work with Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX and a close advisor to Trump, on a mission to Mars.
Trump's efforts to restore ties between Russia and the United States have raised concerns in Ukraine and Europe that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine without their participation.
Dmitriev, after meeting with Trump administration officials, claimed that unidentified forces are trying to sow tension between Russia and the United States and distort Russia's position.
"Opponents of rapprochement fear that Russia and the United States will find a common language, begin to understand each other better, and build cooperation, both in international affairs and in the economy," he said.
Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, arrived on April 2 and met with presidential envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House, US media reported.
Witkoff, a former investment banker who has taken the lead in the administration's contacts with the Kremlin, invited Dmitriev to the United States last week, US officials cited by Reuters said.
Trump confirmed on April 3 that a Russian envoy was in the United States for talks, but the White House did not release a statement about the visit.
Dmitriev is the highest-ranking Russian official to visit Washington since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He was recently appointed as Putin's special envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries.
The visit comes after Trump expressed frustration with the pace of ceasefire talks. Putin last month rejected a US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal and demanded the lifting of some sanctions in exchange for a ceasefire in the Black Sea proposed by the US.
Dmitriev may be instrumental in repairing relations between Moscow and Washington, which have sunk to their lowest point since the Cold War. The Russian envoy played a role in early contacts with the United States when Trump was first elected president in 2016.
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