Kremlin urges US to start economic projects before Ukraine settlement

October 2, 2026 at 06:02 PM1 min

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Russia and the US could begin mutually beneficial economic projects now, without waiting for a settlement of the war in Ukraine. His comments came days after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks in Washington that a US official described as constructive.

Key Facts

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Oct. 1 that Russia and the US could begin mutually beneficial economic projects without waiting for a Ukraine settlement.
Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev had briefed Putin on the outcome of his meetings in Washington.
A US official described Dmitriev's discussions in Washington as constructive and focused on a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war and possible post-conflict energy initiatives.
Peskov dismissed media reports that Moscow was discussing the release of Russian political prisoners in exchange for easing US sanctions.

Kremlin Position

Peskov told reporters on Thursday that Washington continues to link economic projects to a Ukrainian settlement despite their obvious benefit. He said the US position is that first comes the settlement, and only then the implementation of projects. Peskov added that Russia believes it does not have to wait and could work for mutual benefit right now.

Dmitriev's Washington Talks

Kirill Dmitriev traveled to Washington days before Peskov's remarks for talks with US officials. Reuters reported that Dmitriev met with representatives of the US Treasury and Energy departments. Dmitriev has remained involved in contacts with Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He participated in their meetings with Putin in Moscow earlier in September, where the sides also discussed potential economic projects.