Russia-US Working Group on Economic Issues Actively Collaborating

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The Kremlin has confirmed that the Russia-US working group on economic issues is actively cooperating, with the group's leadership recently changing hands. Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation, has taken over the Russian side of the group, while the US is represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Why it matters

The working group is an important channel for economic dialogue between Russia and the US, two of the world's largest economies, at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Its continued operation signals that both sides see value in maintaining some level of economic cooperation despite broader political differences.

The details

The working group has held meetings concurrently with recent trilateral security consultations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Abu Dhabi. The next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place in Geneva in mid-February, where further contacts within the bilateral economic group are expected.

• On January 23-24, the first round of trilateral security consultations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US was held in Abu Dhabi.
• On February 4-5, the second round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine took place in Abu Dhabi, with concurrent meetings of the Russia-US economic working group.
• On February 17-18, the next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place in Geneva, also in a trilateral Russian-American-Ukrainian format.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place in Geneva on February 17-18, where further contacts within the bilateral Russia-US economic working group are expected.