Putin's envoy: Russia and America will soon announce new joint initiatives
Amman2 min read
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Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy for investment affairs, said on Friday that Moscow and Washington will soon announce new joint initiatives, including data centers powered by nuclear energy, following the diesel agreement reached last week.
Dmitriev added that US sanctions pose serious obstacles, and criticized the Graham Act signed by US President Donald Trump last month, describing it as "misguided," a law aimed at pressuring Russia's energy revenues through sanctions and tariffs.
He continued that the two countries are studying other forms of economic cooperation following the diesel agreement.
He went on to say, "We are also discussing joint projects in the field of Russian and American data centers, including the use of small-scale nuclear power plants," without providing details.
Dmitriev, a prominent figure in Russian-US talks on ending the war in Ukraine, has long pushed for a range of ambitious potential deals, including in the metals and energy sectors.
The Kremlin expresses its dissatisfaction that the United States has so far linked any such agreements to a peace deal, which remains elusive.
But Dmitriev expressed optimism that this situation is beginning to change.
He said at the Russian Energy Week conference in Moscow, "Naturally, making progress is very difficult. There is resistance—indeed, widespread resistance—from various parties. However, as the example regarding diesel shows, I believe we will soon announce several other important initiatives. The ice is, in fact, beginning to melt."
He added, "We are actually carrying out projects with the United States of America at this very moment, and we will continue to do so until the special military operation ends," using the term the Kremlin uses to refer to the war in Ukraine.
Dmitriev said that the US Treasury Department asked the Russian sovereign wealth fund, which he heads, to help resolve complex issues related to payments for the diesel deal.
The deal announced by Trump a week ago involves supplying Russian diesel to US and global markets in order to lower its price, a major priority for the US President ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for next month.
