Russia's Oligarchs Are Afraid Of Sanctions

Russia's Billionaires 'Horrified' At Sanctions Threat That Could Push Economy Into Recession But Too Terrified Of Putin To Speak Out -- Daily Mail

* Billionaire oligarchs 'scared of sanctions but more scared of Putin'
* Dare not speak out over measures which could cripple Russian economy
* Putin allies are already suffering from existing U.S. measures
* Britain pushing for EU sanctions against Mr Putin’s 'crony group'
* Foreign secretary Philip Hammond said Russia risks becoming 'pariah state'
* Additional U.S. measures may be imposed in the next few weeks

Russia's billionaire businessmen are 'horrified' at the prospect of crippling economic sanctions in response to Moscow's involvement in Ukraine, but are too terrified of president Vladimir Putin to say so openly, it has been claimed.

The U.S. has already imposed a raft of sanctions against Russian companies and individuals with Britain and the Netherlands pushing for the EU to impose even tougher measures following the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

Additional U.S. measures may be imposed in the next few weeks and financial experts believe Russia's $2 trillion economy could be pushed into recession.

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My Comment: A small confession .... I am not going to stay up all night wondering how hard life is going to be for these oligarchs.

Russia's Oligarchs Are Betting That Kiev's Revolutionary Rulers Will Succeed

Russia's Oligarchs Throw Their Weight Behind Kiev's Revolutionary Rulers -- The Telegraph

Billionaire businessmen accept positions from Ukraine's new pro-West government in a slight against Russian president.

Vladimir Putin’s gambit that Russia could change the course of the Ukraine revolution at gunpoint has failed a crucial test as the country’s billionaire oligarchs line up behind Kiev.

Billionaire businessmen have accepted appointments from the pro-Western government in Kiev to act as regional governors in three Russia-leaning areas of the country. The fledgling government has also secured the important endorsement of the country’s richest man.

Sergei Taruta, a sharp-suited industrialist who was last week named governor of the Russian-speaking Donbass region, bluntly accuses Mr Putin of sending provocateurs to create chaos on the streets to provide a pretext for Russia intervention.

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My Comment: I am not surprised by this news. Putin does know many oligarchs and counts some of them as his allies .... but not all of them toe his line. Ukraine does have enormous business potential in the long term .... and these oligarchs are "betting big" that stability and growth are only a few years away.