Russian royal Victor Cassadine, along with his older brothers Mikkos and Anthony, became a threat to the citizens of Port Charles in 1981 when they set out to take over the world. Together the brothers planned to steal the infamous Ice Princess diamond and use it to power a weather machine they had created that was capable of freezing the world within minutes[LM1]. Victor was romantically involved with actress Tiffany Hill at the time but she turned on him after she learned of his nefarious plans. Tiffany helped Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer destroy the weather machine and Victor was sent to prison. He was believed to have died while in prison.

Several decades later, Victor returned to Port Charles with several secrets. He had been released from prison and covertly named the Director of the WSB (World Security Bureau). Under Victor's directive, known criminal Dr. Liesl Obrecht was granted immunity and named the Chief of Staff at General Hospital. Victor had secured Liesl's freedom in exchange for information on the whereabouts of Helena and Stavros Cassadine. During a conversation with Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake, Victor revealed that both Stavros and Helena remained in a cryogenic state but he needed Robin's medical expertise to revive them. He also mentioned that Robin's good friend Jason Morgan required the same treatment and that Robin would be allowed to revive him in addition to Victor's relatives.

As Victor awaited Robin's response to his proposition, he reacquainted himself with Wyndemere and the Cassadine family members that currently resided there. He also tried to reconnect with Liesl in a romantic manner and alluded to a past relationship the two had shared. Liesl bartered her affection in exchange for information on Cesar Faison. Victor complied and they shared a kiss before he escorted Robin out of town to the clinic where Jason Morgan resided.

Per Liesl's request, Victor paid a brief visit to Port Charles to deliver an embryo which belonged to Dante Falconeri and his wife Lulu Spencer. He also stopped by the hospital to see Robin's husband Patrick Drake after Robin had received word that her husband and daughter had been involved in a car accident. He provided Patrick with a phone number where Robin could be temporarily reached and then left town again.

Victor checked on Robin's progress at the clinic and he revealed that he had orchestrated the car accident that Patrick and Robin's daughter had been involved in. Victor reminded Robin that he could get to her family at any point if he was not pleased with her work. He believed it was taking her too long to revive his family. Robin was able to revive Jason from his cryogenic state but Victor prevented Robin from sharing a reunion with her friend. Instead, Victor revealed that he had plans for Jason.

Victor also had plans for Maxie Jones and Lulu Falconeri. He arranged for Peter Harrell's son, Levi Dunkleman, to kidnap the women. Victor also captured police detectives Dante Falconeri and Nathan West and took everyone to his WSB headquarters located at the Creighton-Clark Clinic. When Victor learned that Nathan was Liesl's son, he ordered a DNA test to determine if he was Nathan's father. While Victor awaited the results, his reasons for kidnapping Lulu and Maxie were discovered. Levi planned to allow his father to kill Maxie as revenge for Peter Harrell's unfortunate past with Maxie's parents whereas Victor's recently unfrozen nephew Stavros Cassadine was reunited with his "ice princess" Lulu.

Liesl arrived at the clinic and announced to Victor that a DNA test was unnecessary and that Nathan was his son. Victor was wary of Liesl's claim and his suspicions were confirmed when the DNA test showed that Nathan was not his child. Liesl shot Victor in the chest and explained that everyone needed to believe that Victor was her child's father. As Victor succumbed to his gunshot wound, he triggered an explosion at the clinic and it was presumed that Victor did not make it out of the building.

In September 2. 2021, Victor was revealed to be alive and Peter’s mysterious boss who had been holding Drew Cain captive in a prison cell on a Cassadine compound in Crete, Greece.. Eventually, Victor learned that Peter was on the verge of double-crossing him. Victor made plans to escape the compound before Peter was able to kill him.

Additionally, Victor arranged for Liesl Obrecht to be kidnapped and taken to his compound. Liesl’s boyfriend Scott Baldwin was drugged and tossed from a plane strapped to a parachute.

On October 7, 2021, it was revealed that Victor was Valentin Cassadine's biological father.. Victor revealed that he had had a secret affair with his sister-in-law Helena Cassadine after she had found out that Mikkos had cheated on her Valentin had been the result of the illicit tryst. Later that month, Nikolas revealed to Ava that Victor had been the one who had found Nikolas after Valentin had shot Nikolas in 2016. Victor had rescued his great-nephew from the water, and and helped nurse him back to health. Nikolas also revealed to Ava that Victor helped him fake his death, and inreturn for Victor’s help, Nikolas gave Victor the private compound in Crete. However, Nikolas denied knowing about Victor’s association with Peter August. On December 1, 2021, Alexis Davis was shocked when she opened her door and saw Victor alive and well. That same day, Victor visited Valentin, Nikolas, Ava, Spencer, and Spencer’s girlfriend Esme Prince. Spencer was thrilled to see Victor was alive and well. Victor and Spencer hugged, and the two –quickly formed a close relationship much to the chagrin of both Laura – Spencer’s grandmother -- and Nikolas.

On January 21, 2022, Victor crashed Luke Spencer's memorial service at the Haunted Star with his henchman Johann. Laura ordered both men to leave, butVictor explained that while Luke may have died, Luke had had a long list of enemies who were still alive. Soon after, Victor and Johann ran into Scott, Sonny Corinthos, and Robert Scorpio at Charlie’s Pub. Victor traded insults with both Scott and Sonny, which prompted Scott and Sonny to put aside their differences to team up against Victor and Johann. After a brief brawl, Victor and Johann were sent packing.

On January 28, 2022, Victor watched as Johann chloroformed Valentin in the hospital parking garage before putting an unconscious Valentin in the back of Victor's car. Valentin resisted Victor’s efforts to team up until Victor effectively kidnapped Charlotte and stashed her in an upscale European boarding school with tight security. Valentin reluctantly complied with Victor’s demands, until Valentin decided to confide to his girlfriend Anna Devane that Victor had been blackmailing him. Together, Valentin and Anna decided to work together to take Victor down.

Victor managed to retain the upper hand. After planting a listening device in Lucy Coe’s necklace, Victor learned that Lucy had been working with Anna to glean Victor’s secrets. Furious, Victor arranged for someone to shoot Lucy on the pier, and to frame Anna for the crime. Meanwhile, Victor sent Valentin out of town to keep him from interfering with Victor’s plans.