Putin Confidante Matviyenko Attends Geneva IPU Meeting Despite Sanctions

Valentina Matviyenko, Chair of the Russian Federation Council and a close confidante of President Putin, attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Geneva despite being on Western sanctions lists for her support of Russia's war against Ukraine. Her presence at the event drew sharp condemnation from Ukraine, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi calling her attendance a disgrace and accusing her of genocide and crimes of aggression, urging other participants to avoid contact with her. Matviyenko used the platform to call for peace and security for all nations while promoting Russian narratives about the conflict and inviting parliamentarians to visit Russian-occupied territories. Switzerland allowed her entry based on its obligations to international organizations, despite the sanctions. Alongside Matviyenko, other sanctioned Russian officials such as Leonid Slutsky and Pyotr Tolstoy also attended. Ukraine vowed to continue pursuing legal action against Matviyenko and other Russian officials at The Hague's Special Tribunal for crimes related to the aggression against Ukraine.