Kirill Dmitriev is a distinctive figure in Russian diplomacy, blending deep expertise in US affairs with significant commercial acumen as head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Born in Soviet Ukraine in 1975, Dmitriev spent much of his formative years in the US, where he studied and worked until his mid-20s, giving him a rare, nuanced understanding of Western systems. He began his career in finance at Goldman Sachs and later played a key role in private equity within Russia and the US-Russia investment sphere before being appointed CEO of the RDIF in 2011.
Dmitriev’s RDIF manages a sovereign wealth fund designed to attract foreign investment into Russia, focusing on co-investments alongside international partners, despite the challenges posed by Western sanctions since 2014. His role now extends beyond economics as he serves as President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, engaging diplomatically especially with the US.
A close counterpart to Steve Witkoff, a special envoy in the Trump administration, Dmitriev has been pivotal in recent diplomatic efforts aimed at negotiating peace and economic ties. Their collaboration dates to early 2025, including facilitating the release of an American detainee in Russia and participating in high-level talks in Saudi Arabia that marked a thaw in Russia’s diplomatic isolation in the West.
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