Kathrine Frich
Each figure is handpicked, loyal, powerful, and deeply embedded in the Kremlin’s inner circle. Here’s who they are, and what they represent.
As Vladimir Putin arrives in Alaska for a historic face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump attention is turning not just to the leaders, but to the team Putin brought with him.
The five men accompanying him signal what’s on Moscow’s agenda: diplomacy, war, sanctions, and business.
Sergei Lavrov – The Veteran Diplomat with a Sharp Edge
At 75, Sergei Lavrov has been Russia’s Foreign Minister since 2004.
He’s one of the longest-serving diplomats in the world and helped shape Moscow’s approach to conflicts from Iraq to Ukraine.
Once known as pragmatic, Lavrov now often uses aggressive language in public appearances.
His arrival in Alaska, wearing a USSR-branded sweater, was seen as a statement of Russia’s stance.
Lavrov’s role will be to push Russia’s foreign policy goals and counter any US criticism head-on.
Yuri Ushakov – The Quiet Strategist
Yuri Ushakov, 78, is Putin’s long-time foreign policy adviser and a former ambassador to the United States.
Fluent in English, he spent a decade in Washington and understands US political culture well.
He rarely appears in public but plays a key role behind the scenes, managing diplomatic messaging and planning.
Ushakov’s presence signals careful coordination on how the Kremlin will frame the outcome of the meeting.
He is considered one of Putin’s most trusted and experienced advisers.
Andrei Belousov – The Economist Running Russia’s Military
Appointed Defense Minister in 2024, Andrei Belousov replaced the long-serving Sergei Shoigu.
Unlike his predecessor, Belousov is an economist, not a general.
His main task is to modernize Russia’s defense spending and shift the economy into full wartime production.
He is known for being soft-spoken, religious, and focused on efficiency.
His role at the summit likely relates to military strategy and how Russia plans to sustain its war effort economically.
Kirill Dmitriev – The Kremlin’s Bridge to Wall Street
Kirill Dmitriev, 50, leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a $10 billion sovereign wealth fund.
Educated at Stanford and Harvard, he has strong ties to American business circles.
He’s close to Putin’s family and is married to a friend of the president’s daughter.
Dmitriev is expected to pitch joint US-Russian projects in the Arctic, especially in infrastructure and energy.
His goal may be to attract US interest in exchange for easing sanctions.
Anton Siluanov – The Guardian of Russia’s “Fortress Economy”
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, 62, has led Russia’s finance ministry since 2011.
He is the architect of policies designed to protect the Russian economy from Western sanctions.
He promoted the idea of a “fortress economy”, one that can survive in isolation.
Russia’s economy hasn’t collapsed, but growth has slowed.
His inclusion suggests that Moscow will push hard for economic concessions from the US.
