Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, expressed optimism on Wednesday for a potential reset in U.S.-Russia relations after Donald Trump’s projected victory in the U.S. presidential election.
Tensions between Moscow and Washington, which intensified following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, have been the worst since the Cold War. Dmitriev, a close figure in Russia’s political elite, attributed Trump’s election success to public dissatisfaction with the Biden administration, calling it an opportunity to improve diplomatic ties.
Trump’s 2024 presidential win, marked a major comeback since leaving office in 2020.
In his campaign, Trump, who has often pledged a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, has yet to outline his approach, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a willingness for talks, provided Russia’s territorial gains are acknowledged—something Ukraine rejects.
Russian media, under Kremlin influence, appeared to favor Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris, with former President Dmitry Medvedev suggesting Trump’s stance could limit U.S. aid to Ukraine, citing Trump’s distaste for excessive spending on foreign allies.
However, Medvedev acknowledged that Trump’s influence could still face resistance within the U.S. political system.
