US drops sanctions on Russian ex-world chess chief

Donald Trump has lifted restrictions on former FIDE head Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who called it proof of Washington’s desire for new relations

Former World Chess Federation (FIDE) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been removed from the US sanctions list following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday.

The decision came as part of Trump’s move to end the US sanctions program on Syria. The measures involved restrictions being lifted on several Russian banks and individuals, including Ilyumzhinov. The businessman, who also formerly served as head of the Russian republic of Kalmykia, had been on the US Treasury blacklist since 2015.

The original sanctions accused Ilyumzhinov of involvement in financial dealings with the Syrian government, claims he has consistently denied. Following the designation, he stepped back from his responsibilities at FIDE, which he had led since 1995.

Ilyumzhinov described his removal from the blacklist as a “fair” and “courageous” move by Trump, crediting the US leader with a willingness to reevaluate global diplomacy.

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“As the first president of the Russian republic of Kalmykia, I consider this decision a serious signal for a possible improvement in US-Russian relations,” Ilyumzhinov told Interfax, describing Trump as a man ready to correct “historical injustices.”

In a statement on Telegram, Ilyumzhinov also expressed his desire to personally thank the US president and suggested a symbolic meeting to share his vision of today’s international development and play a game of chess with Trump.

“I hope President Trump accepts the invitation,” Ilyumzhinov told Interfax, adding that “a game of wits can sometimes achieve more than ten diplomatic notes.”