--- title: "Trump Considers Lifting Sanctions on Putin's \"Slush Fund\": What is Known About the RDIF Request" description: "The Trump administration is exploring the possibility of lifting sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund amid negotiations on supplying Russian diesel fuel to the U.S. No final decision has been made." date: 2026-10-27T20:01:45.799Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trump-considers-lifting-sanctions-rdif tags: [trump, russia-sanctions, rdif, diesel-fuel, us-russia-talks] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Trump Considers Lifting Sanctions on Putin's "Slush Fund": What is Known About the RDIF Request ![Portrait of Donald Trump in a dark suit with a red tie against a light building](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/27/tramp-rassmatrivaet-snyatie-sanktsiy-s-rfpi/tramp-rassmatrivaet-snyatie-sanktsiy-s-rfpi-1.webp) ## Key Points - The Trump administration is reviewing the RDIF's application to lift sanctions as part of broader negotiations with Moscow. - The fund was sanctioned in 2022 by the Biden administration as Putin's "slush fund". - The review is linked to agreements on Russian diesel fuel supplies following the October 9 Trump-Putin agreement. - To lift restrictions, the fund must prove that the circumstances for imposing sanctions no longer exist; no final decision has been made. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is exploring the possibility of lifting sanctions against the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing The New York Times. According to the publication, the issue is being considered as part of broader negotiations between Washington and Moscow, and a U.S. official confirmed that the fund's application is being evaluated under the established procedure. No final decision on lifting the restrictions has been made at the time of publication. ### History of Sanctions Against the Fund The Russian Direct Investment Fund is a state structure that invests in Russian companies and joint projects with foreign partners. The fund was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2022 by decision of Joe Biden's administration, which called it Vladimir Putin's "slush fund" and an instrument for spreading Russian influence abroad. Since then, the restrictions have become one of the elements of sanctions pressure on Moscow. ### Diesel Agreement as a Reason for Review The review of the fund's application is taking place against the backdrop of agreements on the supply of Russian diesel fuel. Following the agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on October 9, the U.S. Treasury Department temporarily authorized transactions involving Russian diesel fuel loaded onto tankers during the specified period. This authorization made supplies possible, but does not mean the automatic lifting of all restrictions on the fund. Currently, the structure headed by Kirill Dmitriev is helping organize diesel fuel supplies and participating in resolving financial issues and making payments. According to the Russian side, the U.S. Treasury Department asked to involve the fund in the diesel agreement; at the same time, the fund independently applied in parallel to lift sanctions directly against itself. ### Procedure and Conditions for Lifting Restrictions U.S. officials and sources familiar with the progress of the negotiations told the NYT that Washington is reviewing the fund's application to lift sanctions as part of broader talks with Moscow. The reason is cited as "the desire to improve relations with Russia and facilitate the end of the war." To lift the restrictions, the fund must prove that the circumstances for which the sanctions were imposed no longer exist. As of the time of publication, no final decision has been made. ### Reaction and Broader Context Critics note that the Kremlin is receiving economic benefits without abandoning its demands regarding Ukraine. Former U.S. National Security Council official Eric Green emphasized that lifting sanctions will signal Washington's retreat from the position of maintaining economic pressure on Russia until the war is settled. The Russian side itself called the diesel agreement an example of renewed cooperation, and Kirill Dmitriev has opposed legislative restrictions for joint projects. Separately, Trump allows for further easing of sanctions against Russia and is considering the possibility of concessions to Moscow regarding the export of Russian fertilizers; according to The Atlantic, a plan to soften the sanctions regime linked to the release of certain prisoners is being worked out and is in its initial stages. ## Accounts differ ### Initiator of involving RDIF in the diesel agreement - **Russian side:** The U.S. Treasury Department asked to involve the fund in the diesel agreement ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-rozglyadae-znyattya-sanktsiy-chornoyi-1793130408.html)) - **RDIF:** The fund independently applied in parallel to lift sanctions directly against itself ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-rozglyadae-znyattya-sanktsiy-chornoyi-1793130408.html)) *Where they agree:* RDIF is participating in organizing Russian diesel fuel supplies, and its application to lift sanctions is being reviewed under the established procedure ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Трамп рассматривает снятие санкций с "черной кассы" Путина, - NYT](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tramp-rozglyadae-znyattya-sanktsiy-chornoyi-1793130408.html) - Primary source basis: review of RDIF application by procedure, 2022 sanctions, October 9 diesel agreement, quote from Eric Green, Dmitriev's role. - [Белый дом готовит новую уступку Кремлю, и Москва продвигает ее через неожиданную сделку](https://hvylya.net/news/329566-nyt-tramp-mozhet-snyat-sankcii-s-chernoy-kassy-putina) - Confirms the fact of reviewing the lifting of sanctions against RDIF according to the NYT, the procedural evaluation of the application, and the fund's role in diesel supplies; characterizes Dmitriev as a "useful envoy". - [The Atlantic: Трамп рассматривает смягчение санкций против РФ](https://news.mail.ru/politics/72538955/) - Context: a separate sanctions-softening plan linked to the release of prisoners, in the initial stages; not identical to the RDIF application. ## FAQ ### Have sanctions against the Russian Direct Investment Fund already been lifted? No. The Trump administration is only reviewing the fund's application to lift sanctions according to the established procedure; no final decision has been made at the time of publication. ### Why did the fund end up under sanctions? The RDIF was included in the sanctions list in 2022 by decision of Joe Biden's administration, which called it Vladimir Putin's "slush fund" and an instrument for spreading Russian influence abroad. ### What must the fund do for sanctions to be lifted? The fund must prove that the circumstances for which the sanctions were imposed no longer exist.