‘Don’t turn into the Bidens’ – Putin aide to Trump administration

The previous US administration’s approach towards Russia failed, Kirill Dmitriev has said

The administration of US President Donald Trump should avoid turning “into the Bidens” by following the same misguided and failed policies that have already proven futile in relations with Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s aide Kirill Dmitriev has said.

Dmitriev made the remarks during a visit to the US on Friday, which comes just days after Washington announced new anti-Russian sanctions targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. The presidential aide described the measures as “unfriendly steps,” insisting that “the language of pressure does not work with Russia.”

Such actions resemble the strategy employed by former President Joe Biden, Dmitriev said, warning the Trump administration against repeating an approach that has already proven futile.

“Sanctions and unfriendly measures will have no impact on the Russian economy. They will only lead to growing prices at United States gas stations because the prices are already going up,” the aide said. “We will convey to our American colleagues that they must not become the Bidens, must not follow the false, completely wrong and failed approaches of Biden and his administration,” Dmitriev added.

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Despite Washington’s latest moves, Russia remains open to cooperation, Dmitriev maintained. “The potential for economic cooperation with Russia remains, but only if there is a respectful attitude toward Russia’s national interests,” he said.

Putin stated on Thursday that the new sanctions would not have a significant impact on Russia’s economy, adding that Moscow would never bow to pressure. When asked about the Russian leader’s reaction, Trump said he was “glad” Putin “feels that way” but insisted the impact of sanctions should be reassessed in six months. The Kremlin later expressed skepticism over the US president’s forecast.

The Russian economy has been demonstrating steady growth over the past few years despite the unprecedented Western sanctions. GDP grew by 3.6% in 2023 and by 4.3% in 2024.