President Trump is exploring lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, which Washington previously labeled as Vladimir Putin’s ‘slush fund.’ The potential move represents a significant economic concession to Moscow as Trump seeks incentives to end the war in Ukraine.
The fund, formally known as the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), has been under sanctions since 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev in Moscow last month, signaling a shift in U.S. policy. The Times reports the administration is considering removing restrictions that have frozen the fund’s access to Western capital markets.
Critics warn that lifting sanctions could allow Russia to bypass international financial controls and fund military operations. The RDIF has long been accused of serving as a vehicle for Kremlin-aligned oligarchs to circumvent sanctions. The proposed policy change comes amid broader U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, though it has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and national security experts.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing