Kirill Dmitriev, the Magician of the Kremlin
Kirill Dmitriev, a banker under sanctions, has been leading negotiations for Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. He proposes that the U.S. should compromise Ukraine's sovereignty for lucrative projects, despite the risks of investing in Russia. Dmitriev's past as a proponent of economic reform contrasts sharply with his current role, which emphasizes maintaining power at any cost.
- ▪Kirill Dmitriev has no diplomatic background but is negotiating for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
- ▪He suggests that the U.S. should trade Ukraine's sovereignty for billion-dollar projects.
- ▪Dmitriev's past advocacy for economic reform in Russia stands in stark contrast to his current actions.
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GlobalThe Magician of the KremlinKirill Dmitriev will do anything to stay close to power.By Robert F. WorthIllustration by The Atlantic. Source: Maxim Shemetov / Pool Photo / AP.May 25, 2026, 7 AM ET ShareSave For the past 18 months, Vladimir Putin’s efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine have been led by a man with no diplomatic background or expertise. Kirill Dmitriev, a banker who is under sanctions for his role in financing the war, has been shuttling from Moscow to Florida to meet with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in and around the exclusive island known as Billionaire Bunker.
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