Putin is unlikely to tempt Russia’s wealthy to return

Significance

Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Leonid Volkov, among others, contend that imposing sanctions on critics of the war is unfair, and that other sanctioned elites might be encouraged to criticise President Vladimir Putin or the invasion, in hopes that any asset freezes and travel bans would be lifted.

Impacts

• The dependence of wealth on political power reflects the pervasive nature of corruption in Russian life and business today.
• Young Russian professionals increasingly see their best interests in working for the government rather than commercial enterprises.
• Security service control of officials’ resignations may help government keep talented people and improve handling of economic challenges.