Geneva Visit by Sanctioned Russian Ally, Putin Associate - Close associate of Putin defies sanctions, present in Geneva
Russian Politician Valentina Matviyenko Attends International Forum in Switzerland Despite Western Sanctions
Valentina Matviyenko, a powerful figure in Russian politics and a confidante of President Vladimir Putin, made an appearance at a forum in Switzerland despite being heavily sanctioned by Western countries. The forum, held amid ongoing global conflicts, was a multi-day assembly of the Interparliamentary Union (IPU).
Matviyenko, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council (Russia's upper parliamentary chamber), has played a significant role in Russian diplomacy. She has chaired Russia's Federation Council since 2011, giving her a prominent platform to support Putin’s policies, including greenlighting the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Since 2014, Matviyenko has been sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Ukraine. These sanctions involve travel bans and asset freezes specifically targeting her for her role in Crimea and ongoing support of the Ukraine invasion. Despite these restrictions, she attended the high-profile IPU summit in Geneva, using Russian government flights that bypassed EU airspace restrictions.
Matviyenko's presence at the IPU summit allows her to propagate Kremlin narratives, including justifications for Russia’s aggression and accusations against Ukraine and Western countries for information warfare. She publicly called for lifting international sanctions and invited foreign leaders to visit Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, emphasizing Russia’s defiance amid diplomatic isolation.
Western and Ukrainian officials criticize her participation in international forums as inappropriate and provocative, calling for boycotts and condemning her as complicit in Russia’s unlawful actions. Russia, however, projects her appearances as a demonstration of resilience and influence, showing that top sanctioned officials can still engage internationally.
Analysts view her role as part of Russia’s broader strategy to maintain diplomatic legitimacy and counter Western narratives, even from positions under heavy sanctions. Matviyenko, a woman who has chaired Russia's Federation Council since 2011, warned against a third world war amidst global conflicts.
As the 76-year-old Matviyenko continues to play a central role in Russian diplomacy, her activities highlight Russia’s efforts to sustain international engagement and defend its policies on Crimea and Ukraine while challenging Western punitive measures.
Sources: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. The Moscow Times 4. Politico 5. The Washington Post
The Commission, in light of the ongoing global conflicts and political tensions, is also proposing to increase the number of EU-funded projects in the field of education and training, aiming to foster open debate and peaceful resolution of disputes. Meanwhile, general news outlets continue to report on Matviyenko's attendance at international forums, questioning the legitimacy of her participation due to her sanctioned status and alleged involvement in war-and-conflicts.
