The U.S. government is reviewing whether to lift sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the sovereign wealth fund that manages government investments. The potential move follows a deal in which the Trump administration suspended sanctions on Russian diesel on Oct 9, allowing the fuel to be shipped to U.S. ports for the first time in years.
The RDIF has taken a lead role in coordinating these diesel exports, and U.S. officials have described the fund’s chief, Kirill Dmitriev, as a helpful envoy in peace talks. While Energy Secretary Wright said the current suspension of sanctions is temporary, critics argue the goodwill gestures have failed to produce a positive response from Moscow and signal weakness in negotiations.