💢 Key statements from Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s presidential envoy for investment and economic coope

💢 Key statements from Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation, speaking to journalists at the XIX Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Istanbul:

• Russia–Europe relations: Dmitriev cited former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi’s assessment that economic and political relations between Russia and Europe would eventually be restored. He stressed that the forum remains a channel for dialogue with European business.

• European business losses: Dmitriev claimed that German and Italian businesses had lost 20–30% of their turnover following the loss of Russian markets. He also pointed to rising energy costs caused by EU policy and damage to businesses during unrest in France and Italy.

• Pressure from European businesses: According to Dmitriev, European businessmen approached him at the forum and pledged to pressure their governments: "We are with you. We will try to influence our governments to change their approach, which is destroying our businesses."

• Europe risks exclusion: Growing Russia–US dialogue has raised concerns in Europe about being left outside both political negotiations and future economic agreements. Dmitriev said discussions at the forum focused on preventing Europe from being sidelined.

• Russia–US economic cooperation: Dmitriev identified Russian fertilizer supplies for American farmers, a proposed joint AI data center powered by what he described as the world's cheapest electricity for AI, and energy projects in the Arctic as potential areas of cooperation.

• Diesel deal and opposition: Dmitriev accused opponents of Russian–American cooperation of using hostile media coverage to obstruct joint projects. He questioned European objections to the diesel agreement, citing €320 billion in European purchases of Russian energy resources over the past four years.

• Further energy agreements: Dmitriev expects Russian–American energy cooperation to expand beyond diesel and expressed confidence that Europe would eventually participate. Asked whether Russia could supply diesel to Europe, he replied: "I think that if the corresponding requests come in, that is entirely possible."

• Europe's energy outlook: Dmitriev predicted that Europe's fuel crisis would intensify, with businesses and households increasingly unable to afford energy costs. He concluded: "Europe has only one answer, and that is partnership with the Russian Federation."

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