US removes sanctions on Russian former world chess director
(MENAFN) The United States has officially removed former World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov from its sanctions list, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday. This decision was part of a broader move by Trump to terminate the US sanctions program targeting Syria. Several Russian banks and individuals, including Ilyumzhinov, were affected by the reversal.
Ilyumzhinov, who also previously served as the head of Russia’s Kalmykia Republic, had been sanctioned by the US Treasury since 2015 over alleged financial ties to the Syrian government—allegations he has repeatedly denied. After being blacklisted, he stepped back from his leadership role at FIDE, which he had held since 1995.
Reacting to the news, Ilyumzhinov called his removal from the sanctions list a “fair” and “brave” decision by Trump, crediting the US president for his openness to reassess global diplomatic policies.
“As Kalmykia’s first president, I see this as a significant signal toward the potential improvement of US-Russia relations,” he told Interfax, praising Trump for his willingness to correct “historic injustices.”
In a Telegram post, Ilyumzhinov also expressed his desire to thank Trump personally and suggested meeting for a symbolic game of chess to discuss his views on global affairs. “I hope President Trump accepts the invitation,” he said, adding, “sometimes a game of wits achieves more than countless diplomatic exchanges.”
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