Kremlin official Kirill Dmitriev, who has connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is playing a significant role in U.S. negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. A recent meeting in Miami involving Dmitriev, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner aimed to develop a plan to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Dmitriev, 50, is a notable Moscow businessman with an international education background, holding a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He began his career with reputable firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company before moving back to Russia in 2011 to lead the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
His ties to Putin stem from personal connections, notably through his wife, Natalia Popova, who is a close friend and business associate of Putin’s youngest daughter, Katerina Tikhonova. Despite being sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dmitriev has been appointed as a special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation by Putin.
Dmitriev, often referred to as the “Trump whisperer,” has engaged in diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Russia, aiming to ease tensions and foster economic cooperation. While some view him as a key figure in U.S.-Russia relations, others see him more as a messenger facilitating communication between the two nations. His involvement in peace talks and his background make him a pivotal player in international negotiations.
Concerns have been raised about the nature of the peace plan proposed by Dmitriev and its alignment with Russian interests. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the plan for potentially favoring Russia’s demands over Ukraine’s sovereignty. Despite these concerns, Dmitriev’s role in bridging diplomatic ties remains significant in the ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.