WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy met with US negotiators in Florida on Wednesday, marking the first direct discussions between the two sides since the start of the US-Israel military campaign against Iran.
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Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s global envoy, said in a statement on X that the talks with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev covered “a variety of topics” and that both teams had agreed to maintain ongoing communication.
A Russian delegation led by President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev met a U.S. delegation in Florida on Wednesday, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said, adding that the teams discussed a “variety of topics” and agreed to stay in touch. pic.twitter.com/YWtlyxsKDH
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The meetings follow Washington’s decision earlier this week to ease some sanctions on Russian oil, originally imposed in response to Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The temporary relief aimed to stabilize global energy markets amid the heightened tensions and disruptions caused by the Iran conflict.
Trump noted in public remarks that Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he spoke to on Monday, expressed a willingness to be “helpful” regarding the Middle East crisis. The US hopes Moscow can play a constructive role in mitigating further escalation.
Meanwhile, Iran has warned that it could engage in a prolonged conflict with the United States and Israel, claiming such a war would have devastating global economic consequences. The threats come as fighting around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply, has intensified.
Retaliatory missile strikes and drone attacks by Iran have severely disrupted shipping through the strait, prompting emergency oil releases from global strategic reserves, including limited withdrawals from US stockpiles. Oil prices have surged since February 28, following US-Israeli air strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, plunging the region into turmoil.
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Analysts say the diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow reflects an urgent effort to coordinate responses to the Middle East conflict while preventing further disruption to international energy markets. Both sides have agreed to continue dialogue in the coming days.