Russian Envoy Says US, Russia, And Ukraine Are Close To A 'Diplomatic Solution' To War In Ukraine

"Dmitriev said the sanctions are not such a big issue, telling CNN that Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will never act under pressure and the sanctions will lead to higher gasoline prices in the United States while Russia just sell less oil at a higher price. "So I think the real issue is how to continue a dialog how to have a peaceful resolution to the crisis while having realistic solutions rather than put forward unrealistic solutions," Dmitriev said."

"Dmitriev said Russia wants not just a cease-fire but a final solution to the conflict. He said a cease-fire can always be broken or used by the warring parties to rearm. "It's a big move by President Zelenskyy to already acknowledge that it's about battle lines," Dmitriev said. "His previous position was that Russia should leave completely. So actually, I think we are reasonably close to a diplomatic solution that can be worked out.""

Russia, the United States and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine. A Russian special envoy was in the United States for a long-planned meeting and was reported to meet U.S. contacts, including a Trump special envoy in Miami, and other unnamed people. The United States imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies to pressure Russia to end the invasion. The sanctions are expected to raise U.S. gasoline prices while prompting Russia to sell less oil at higher prices. Russia prefers a final settlement rather than a temporary cease-fire, citing risks that a cease-fire can be broken or used to rearm. Ukraine's acknowledgement of battle lines represents a notable shift from a prior demand for full Russian withdrawal. A Trump-Putin summit is anticipated at a later date.

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