There is no doubt that Vladimir Putin is a controversial figure. Some people love him, while others despise him. But what do Russian billionaires think of him? Do they support him, or are they critical of his policies? In this article, we will explore the thoughts of Russian oligarchs on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stay tuned!
What Do Russian Oligarchs Think Of Putin?
As Europe and the United States tighten their sanctions against the mansions and yachts of Russia’s oligarch elite, some members of Vladimir Putin’s extremely wealthy inner circle have begun criticizing his invasion of Ukraine.
Although no one has mentioned the Russian president specifically, the few dissenting views from his prominent allies, many of whose fortunes have strong ties to the Kremlin, show a growing rift among Russian voices.
One of Russia’s richest individuals and the founder of the largest private bank in the nation, Mikhail Fridman, Alfa Bank, was the first Russian businessman to publicly denounce the fighting on Friday, calling for a stop to the “bloodshed” and “tragedy.”
In the letter, first obtained by the Financial Times, he stated, “I am passionately committed to the Ukrainian and Russian peoples and consider the current war as a tragedy for them both.”
He added, “I am a businessman with obligations to my many thousands of employees in Russia and Ukraine. I do not make political pronouncements.
However, I am confident that using force will never be the solution. Two countries that have been brothers for centuries will suffer losses in life and harm as a result of this issue.
Veon, a mobile carrier, is one of the companies owned by Fridman. Kaan Terzioglu, the company’s CEO, said on Monday on CNBC that the war should be “stopped as soon as possible.”
He added that the business is offering internet connectivity to Ukrainians escaping the fighting and said, “I strongly believe that this lunacy should stop as fast as possible.”
New Sanctions Are Imposed On Russia’s Oligarchs
Fridman personally, along with his business partner Petr Aven, steel mogul Alexei Mordashov, and several other extremely wealthy Russians, were all subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union on Monday.
In his response on Tuesday, Fridman said he was unsure whether the invasion would be met with resistance in Russia but felt it was unjust to prohibit all foreign commercial dealings by Russians.
Mordashov called the fighting a “tragedy of two kindred peoples” that needed to end while emphasizing that he should not be the target of any international sanctions.
“The current geopolitical tensions have absolutely nothing to do with me. “I don’t know why sanctions have been put on us,” he remarked.
Separately, last week, metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska, who is the target of American sanctions, posted on Telegram that “Peace is very vital! As quickly as feasible, negotiations must start!
The billionaire founder of Tinkoff Bank, Oleg Tinkov, who is presently receiving cancer treatment, called the violence “unthinkable and unacceptable” and urged governments to fund cancer research instead of war.
The wealthy owner of the English soccer team Chelsea, Roman Abramovich, has not made any statements in the media but has given the team’s “stewardship” to a nonprofit organization.
After Ukraine requested his assistance in finding a “peaceful conclusion,” he reportedly participated in negotiations in Belarus on Monday.
Prominent Opponents
The rich elite of Russia has added their voices to those of other well-known people who have called for a stop to hostilities, such as the Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov and actress Liya Akhedzhakova.
They are also not unimportant. Since Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia’s richest man at the time was imprisoned for supporting opposition parties almost two decades ago, few, if any, oligarchs have publicly criticized Putin.
They are among a tiny number of Russian oligarchs who have not spoken up, despite the fact that many have questioned their sincerity in light of the potential for extra punishments.
Some of Russia’s ultra-wealthy have already seen their net worth practically decrease in half, resulting in projected cumulative losses of $83 billion so far this year as the Russian economy continues to collapse.
While this is going on, some have questioned if they have any influence at all on the powerful Russian leader, who has shown little sign of giving in despite resistance from within Ukraine and extensive action by its Western allies.
Happy Confirmation-Hearing Week
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings get underway this week, but they might go mostly unnoticed given the current news cycle, which is dominated by stories about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, exorbitant gas prices, inflation, and crime waves.
Expect to hear a lot about gender, sympathy, race, and empathy from Democrats, the editors of NR predicted in February. Republicans will be the ones to bring up the law and the Constitution.
She is the subject of defense by Ed Whelan. According to Andy McCarthy, the dedication to upholding the law as it was intended to be understood at the time of adoption is the most important requirement for an American judicial appointment.
A judge who can’t be trusted to do that usurps authority that belongs to the states, the people, or the political branches. No matter how wise, capable, and meticulous the nominee may be, that is intolerable in a judge.
Republicans’ willingness to put up with it reflects a wider problem with our system.
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