WASHINGTON/MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy met with US negotiators in Florida on Wednesday, marking the first direct discussions between Moscow and Washington since the start of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran .
Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, who also serves as CEO of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, posted on X: “Thank you, Steve, Jared, and Josh, for a productive meeting” . He was referring to US President Donald Trump’s roving global envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum .
“The teams discussed a variety of topics and agreed to stay in touch,” Witkoff confirmed in his own social media post .
Context: Sanctions Relief and Energy Markets
The discussions come after the United States lifted some sanctions on Russian oil earlier this week—measures originally imposed following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine—to ease global energy prices as conflict engulfs the Middle East .
Trump spoke with Putin on Monday, describing the call as “very good” and noting that the Russian leader wanted to be “helpful” regarding the Middle East war . The Kremlin said Trump initiated the call, their first this year, and they discussed Russian ideas for ending the Iran conflict, the military situation in Ukraine, and the impact on global oil markets .
Russian Perspective
Following the Florida meeting, Dmitriev suggested that Washington was “beginning to better understand” the importance of Russian oil .
“We discussed promising projects that could contribute to the restoration of Russian-American relations and the current crisis on global energy markets,” he wrote on Telegram .
“Today, many countries, primarily the United States, are beginning to better understand the key, systemic role of Russian oil and gas in ensuring the stability of the global economy, as well as the ineffectiveness and destructive nature of sanctions against Russia,” Dmitriev added .
Analytical Context
The diplomatic engagement reflects urgent efforts to coordinate responses to the Middle East conflict while preventing further disruption to international energy markets . Oil prices have surged since the conflict began on February 28, with disruptions to shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint carrying roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply .
Analysts note that Russia stands to benefit from the crisis. Pulitzer Prize-winning oil expert Daniel Yergin told CNN: “Vladimir Putin has won the lottery here. He’s the biggest winner so far because the price of oil is way up to fund his war. And the sanctions are being taken off” .
Complicating Factors
The talks occur against a backdrop of reports that Russia may be assisting Iran with drone tactics learned in Ukraine. CNN reported, citing a Western intelligence official, that Russia was helping Iran with drone operations to hit US and Gulf targets . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also claimed that Russians are helping Iran not just with drones, but also with missiles and air defenses .
However, Witkoff downplayed such reports on Tuesday, stating that Moscow denied such behavior during Trump’s call with Putin .
Ukraine Peace Talks on Hold
Negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have been put on hold since American and Israeli forces began bombing Iran in late February . A new round of talks had been expected earlier this month .
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described Monday’s Trump-Putin call as “businesslike, frank and constructive,” noting that Trump reiterated his interest in seeing the Ukraine conflict end quickly with a ceasefire to achieve a long-term settlement . Both presidents agreed to communicate on a regular basis moving forward .
