U.S. firms could return to Russia - Trump envoy | 24 Feb 2025 | U.S. companies would be able to return to do business in Russia in the event of a ceasefire deal in the Ukraine conflict, President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview to CBS on Sunday. The interview came days after Witkoff took part in high-level negotiations between Russia and the U.S. in Saudi Arabia, aimed at restarting bilateral ties and working toward the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. The talks also laid the groundwork for a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev, a member of Moscow's delegation, told Reuters that he expects a number of American companies to return to the Russian market in the second quarter of 2025. "There would be an expectation that if we get to a peace deal, that you would be able to have American companies come back and do business there," the diplomat said.