Kirill Dmitriev

Kirill Dmitriev is the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Dmitriev was appointed by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin as a lead negotiator in the Russian-American rapprochement peace negotiations. According to journalist John Helmer, the longest serving English language reporter in Moscow, if Dmitriev can be successful in those negotiations it would position him well as a successor to Putin.

Trump-Russia peace talks

Dmitriev said in Washington, D.C. in April 2025

“

President Trump's tariff strategy reflects a growing shift toward economic sovereignty and national interest...By prioritizing domestic industry and correcting structural trade imbalances, the U.S. sets a precedent for self-reliant growth and sustainable job creation...Putin is a historic leader...Trump is a historic leader...They can work together to make history happen.

”

Education & career

According to the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders, Kirill Dmitriev holds a BA (Hons) in [[Economics from Stanford University; an MBA (Hons) as a Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School. He began his career at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company. Formerly, he managed large private equity funds and completed a series of landmark transactions for Russia.

Since 2011, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Dmitriev is a member of the BRICS and APEC Business Councils; Supervisory Board, ALROSA; Boards of Directors, Transneft, Rostelecom, Gazprombank, Mother and ChildMDMG and Russian Railways; Board of Trustees, Mariinsky Theatre, and Moscow State University, Russian Institute of Theatre Arts GITIS and National History Fund. Vice-President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum (2009).

Awards

Recipient of honours and awards, including: named among “100 most influential private equity professionals of the decade”, Private Equity International (2011); Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Order of Honour for valuable contribution to international investment projects and the socio-economic development of Russia; Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor for paramount contribution to strengthening cooperation between Russia and France; King Abdulaziz Second-Class Order of Merit for contribution to strengthening cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia; Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy for special achievements in the development of friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and Russia; Order of Friendship for special achievements in the development of friendly relations and cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia.