A delegation from the Russian State Duma arrived in Washington on Thursday for talks with U.S. officials, marking the first such visit since 2022.
Russian Duma Delegation Holds Talks in Washington
Representatives of the Russian Duma are visiting Washington, D.C., for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The delegation, from the lower house of the Russian parliament, is meeting with American counterparts and officials from the administration of President Donald Trump.
Invitation by Republican Congresswoman
The visit was initiated following an invitation from Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, known for her openly pro-Russian views. Luna announced the arrival of the Russian deputies on the platform X, stating that continued dialogue between legislative bodies is crucial for pursuing peace.
Delegation Members and Sanctions Waiver
According to the New York Times, the delegation includes Vyacheslav Nikonov, grandson of Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, Olympic figure skater Svetlana Zhurova, and Alexander Chernyshov, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The U.S. State Department temporarily lifted sanctions against the delegation members to facilitate their travel, but the visit of Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Leonid Slutsky was not approved.
“Test Meeting” and Agenda
Slutsky described the visit as a “test meeting” to “feel each other out and listen.” The agenda reportedly includes meetings with officials from the State Department, according to Radio Free Europe.
Recent Sanctions Relief
The visit follows a recent decision by the U.S. Treasury Department to remove several Russians and related firms from the sanctions list, involved in supplying electronics to Russian industry. The reasons for removing these restrictions were not explained. Hungarian citizen Imre Lasloczki, former director of the Russian-Hungarian International Investment Bank, also removed from the list.
