Valentina Matviyenko, long considered one of Vladimir Putin’s most trusted and enduring allies, has unexpectedly emerged into the international spotlight following a controversial appearance in Geneva this week—marking a rare public moment for a woman often described as the most powerful in Russia.
Matviyenko, 76, who has served as the chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council since 2011, attended a gathering of “Women Speakers of Parliament” hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland. Despite being under multiple international sanctions for her role in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, her participation drew outrage from Kyiv and raised eyebrows across Europe.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry called her presence at the event “a disgrace” and questioned Switzerland’s commitment to enforcing sanctions. A spokesperson in Kyiv even suggested that her next international trip should be “to The Hague,” referencing the ongoing efforts to establish a tribunal for Russian war crimes related to the invasion of Ukraine.
Images broadcast by Russian state television showed Matviyenko warmly welcomed with flowers, flanked by a 13-member delegation—including other sanctioned Russian MPs. By contrast, Ukraine was represented by only three delegates.
According to Times UK, this sudden public appearance offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Putin’s court, shedding light on a political survivor whose quiet loyalty and adaptability have ensured her longevity while many others have fallen out of favour.
Born in Shepetivka, Ukraine, and raised in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), Matviyenko’s career spans back to the Soviet era. She rose through the ranks under Boris Yeltsin and was appointed governor of St Petersburg by Putin in 2003. There, she oversaw significant modernization efforts—though not without accusations of corruption, favouritism, and bizarre moments, such as proposing lasers to remove icicles during a brutal winter.
Her survival in Russia’s volatile political elite has been attributed to her uncanny ability to align herself with whoever holds power. As Dr. Ian Garner of the Pilecki Institute told Times UK, “She has shown no loyalty to any ideology beyond preserving her own position. That’s her genius and her curse.”
Matviyenko’s power lies not in public charisma but in the intricate web of political and financial connections she has cultivated over decades. Analysts argue she represents a key link in the St Petersburg-based elite circle that shaped and sustained Putin’s rule—alongside other figures like former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was recently ousted despite years of camaraderie with the Russian president.
Matviyenko’s rhetoric has often echoed the Kremlin’s hardline stance. She has blamed the West and Ukraine for the war and has supported sweeping domestic legislation that clamps down on civil society, foreign media, and internet freedom. Her early calls for decisive military action against Ukraine helped cement her position among the Kremlin’s hawks.
Despite international isolation, her Geneva appearance underscores her continuing influence and the limits of global sanctions enforcement. It also signals that the Kremlin may be attempting to reassert its narrative through unconventional diplomatic channels—even as it faces growing legal and political scrutiny abroad.
Still, her future remains tied to the volatile fate of Putin himself. As Dr. Garner noted, “If Putin were gone tomorrow, and Russia took a new political path, she’d likely adjust without hesitation. Her loyalty isn’t to Putin’s ideology—it’s to power.”
Whether Matviyenko’s moment in Geneva marks a new phase of international activity or a final curtain call remains to be seen. What is clear is that she has, once again, proven her remarkable ability to navigate the perilous waters of Russian politics—this time, on the world stage.
