Zelensky sanctions leading Russian peace negotiator
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has imposed sanctions on several Russian officials, including Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s economic aide and a key figure in the peace process.
The sanctions announced on Sunday also targeted five Russian publishing houses.
Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has emerged as one of leading negotiators in the Ukraine conflict settlement process. The Harvard-educated former banker has visited the US several times for meetings with officials from the administration of President Donald Trump to discuss peace initiatives.
Dmitriev has stressed the importance of dialogue and cautioned Washington against repeating what he described as the failed approach of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. Policies based on confrontation have proven ineffective, he added.
In a statement published on his website, Zelensky accused Dmitriev of “spreading propaganda and attracting Russian investments into key sectors of foreign economies.” He also linked the move to Moscow’s decision to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko.
Kiev said it would “share its proposals for new sanctions with the relevant partners,” adding that Russia “deserves far greater global pressure.”
The list of newly sanctioned officials also includes Lieutenant General Aleksandr Zorin, a member of Russia’s negotiating team at the Istanbul talks earlier this year. As part of the Istanbul process, Russia and Ukraine agreed to conduct several POW swaps and exchange the bodies of fallen soldiers.
Moscow has stated that it seeks a lasting solution to the conflict that addresses the root causes. Ukraine and its Western backers have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, while Russia insists that this would only allow Ukraine to regroup its military and receive more weapons.
Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month, Dmitriev said Moscow believes peace can be achieved within a year.
