Delegation of Russian MPs has visited US for first time in many years
A delegation of Russian MPs has visited the United States for the first time in many years. The trip comes amid strained relations due to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Source: Radio Liberty
Details: Russian delegates met with members of Congress from both parties – Republican and Democratic – on 26 March. The meeting's initiator, Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, described the talks as a step towards restoring dialogue.
"Today, for the first time in close to a 1/4 century, 5 members of Congress (bipartisan) met with 5 members of the Russian Duma to discuss peace and bilateral relations. As representatives of the world's two greatest nuclear super powers, we owe our citizens open dialogue, ideas, and open lines of communication. We will continue to foster this dialogue and push for peace in support of this admins push for peace, as well as economic opportunity," she wrote on X (Twitter).
Luna has long faced criticism for her anti-Ukraine stance. She opposes military aid to Ukraine and supports initiatives to scale it back.
Her post included a photo of the Russian delegation alongside her and other colleagues during their meeting in Washington at the headquarters of the US Institute of Peace, recently renamed after Trump.
Kirill Dmitriev, Envoy of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, also described the meeting as "historic" on X.
The Russian side included, among others, State Duma Deputy Chair Boris Chernyshov, Vyacheslav Nikonov, First Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and MP Svetlana Zhurova.
According to Alexander Darchiev, Russia's Ambassador to the United States, the talks will continue on 27 March.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin had set "basic directives" for the trip and would be "carefully briefed" following the meetings in the United States.
According to Reuters, Luna said in January that she had received approval from the State Department to arrange a meeting between Russian lawmakers and members of Congress.
The visit comes amid a de facto freeze in US-mediated talks aimed at reaching an agreement to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that no political or security issues would be discussed.
Analytical centres note that Luna's initiative to invite Russian MPs to the US aligns closely with the Kremlin's agenda: to demonstrate divisions within the United States, war fatigue and a desire among part of the American establishment to resume dealings with Moscow.
Background:
- Relations between Russia and the United States sharply deteriorated after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ties improved following Donald Trump's return to the White House and his attempts to end the war.
- Closer relations between Washington and Moscow are causing concern in Ukraine and among its European allies, while the Kremlin has welcomed them.
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