Sanctions against Russia’s oligarchs, according to one of the country’s wealthiest men, Mikhail Fridman warns that sanctions will not cease the war, would not affect Moscow’s choice to invade Ukraine.
At a press conference in London, billionaire banker Mikhail Fridman warns that sanctions will not cease the war said the war was a tragedy for both sides.
However, he refrained from making direct criticism. He stated that personal statements could endanger not only himself but also his staff and coworkers.
He joins Oleg Deripaska, another businessman, in calling for peace.
The two guys are the most powerful oligarchs who have spoken out against Russia’s invasion, which is currently on its sixth day.
Mr. Fridman, who resides in London, and his long-time partner Pyotr Aven were sanctioned by the European Union on Monday.
Mr. Fridman warns that sanctions will not cease the war were identified as “a key Russian financier and enabler of Putin’s inner circle” by the EU statement. Meanwhile, Mr. Aven is “one of Vladimir Putin’s closest oligarchs”, and an unofficial emissary of the president.
A sensitive issue
On Tuesday, the billionaire told reporters that the restrictions, which include asset freezes and a travel ban, were unjustified and that he would fight them.
However, he noted that the sanctions would not have the desired impact of reining in the Kremlin in any event.
“You know, because you are a Jew, you might not be in this position or that position, at this university or this employment,” he explained.
He claimed that his enterprises employed tens of thousands of people in Russia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. “It’s a very sensitive issue. We have hundreds of partners, and I don’t have the authority to put them all in jeopardy.”
In a post on the messaging app Telegram, Mr. Deripaska, who established one of Russia’s greatest industrial conglomerates, also begged for peace.