Kremlin Warns of Sabotage Attempts Ahead of Putin-U.S. Summit

A high-ranking figure within Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle has expressed concerns about efforts to undermine an upcoming summit between Putin and the U.S. President. The meeting is planned for August 15th in Alaska. Details about the summit, including the agenda and potential attendees, were limited in the announcement. The possibility of Ukrainian President's participation remains uncertain, especially given the ongoing conflict.

Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's investment envoy, stated that several nations are actively working to disrupt the planned summit. He suggested that these countries, likely those who benefit from the continuation of the conflict, may employ diplomatic tactics or media campaigns to sabotage the meeting. Dmitriev did not specify which countries were involved.

Dmitriev, who has been described as a "shadow foreign minister" due to his influence on Russian diplomacy, met with U.S. officials in April. He leads the Kremlin's sovereign wealth fund and serves as a special envoy, often acting as a liaison between Moscow and Washington.

The Kremlin has indicated that the summit will focus on finding a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. The statement acknowledged the challenges involved but expressed a commitment to active engagement. Previous reports suggest that a potential ceasefire deal discussed earlier would have involved significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, a prospect opposed by Ukraine and many of its European allies.