Washington weighs lifting sanctions on Russian RDIF fund
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Washington is studying lifting US sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), led by Kirill Dmitriev, to facilitate payments linked to Russian diesel deliveries to the United States. The fund has been under sanctions since February 2022; the consideration was reported by the New York Times on 27 October 2026, after discussions mentioned by Dmitriev in Moscow.
Washington is studying the possibility of lifting sanctions imposed on the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), led by Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin’s envoy for international economic cooperation, the New York Times reported on 27 October 2026. The fund could facilitate payments linked to Russian diesel deliveries to the United States.
At Russian Energy Week, held in Moscow in mid-October, Dmitriev said the US Treasury had asked the RDIF to facilitate payments and resolve difficulties linked to transactions. He added that discussions on lifting the sanctions were under way. The fund has been under US sanctions since February 2022.
On 9 October, Donald Trump announced a deal to obtain Russian diesel after a call with Putin. The US Treasury subsequently granted a temporary licence authorising cargoes that had already been loaded, with the sanctions suspended until April 2027. The Trump administration justified the measure by its desire to lower fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections on 3 November.
Dmitriev has previously argued in favour of trade agreements between Washington and Moscow, amid discussions on trade between the two countries.
