High-level secret diplomatic activity between the US and Russia has intensified, aimed at paving the way for a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the international news agency “Reuters”, the special envoy of Russian President Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, is currently in the United States, where he will meet today with the special envoy of President Trump, Steve Vitkov, in Miami.

The United States and Russia are now engaged in backroom negotiations, and the two presidents are anticipated to meet shortly.

Karel Dmitriev told American media, “Russia, the United States, and Ukraine have come very close to a diplomatic solution to end the war.”

He stated that the meeting between the two presidents has not been cancelled, but rather postponed, and it will take place at an appropriate time in the near future.

According to Dmitriev, the US sanctions will harm the US, rather than affecting Russia. He said that the new sanctions will hurt the American economy.

According to him, “These restrictions will increase the prices of oil and gasoline in the United States.”

Recall that last week, President Trump announced that he would meet with President Putin in Hungary to make progress on an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

However, Russia’s rejection of an immediate ceasefire resulted in the conference being postponed.

Karil Dmitriev said that Russia, the United States and European countries are discussing a temporary ceasefire plan along the current front lines of Ukraine.

“Zelinsky’s recognition that a ceasefire can be held on the existing border lines is a major diplomatic step,” he said, characterising the softer posture of Ukrainian President Zelensky as a promising indicator.

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US is in contact with Russia, but without ending Russian aggression, a full agreement is unlikely.

Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has since left thousands dead and Western countries have imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia.