Sanctions, Russian losses, and Abramovich: unpicking the overt, and covert, forces at play 

But the Russian economy is actually destroyed too. Because sanctions work even outside of oil and gas.

That's the conclusion of a new 118-page article by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale University, as well as 18 other authors.

Sonnenfeld claims that Russia presents false statistics to show that the sanctions are hurting Europe more than Russia itself.

In fact, the import sanctions actually stopped Russia's own production. Foreign companies that left Russia generated about 40% of GDP.

The Russians are blackmailing Europe with gas supplies. This is the blackmail of desperation. Indeed, Europe imports 46% of its gas from Russia. But Russia exports 83% of its gas to Europe. Blackmailing Europe with gas, Russia is bluffing.

Therefore, the issue of maintaining sanctions against Russia is vitally important for Ukraine, despite the lobbying of Russia itself. For this, it is not necessary to make concessions to Russia in order not to create arguments for the lifting of sanctions.

There are many such arguments. Some Russian banks, which are under sanctions in the world, continue to work in Ukraine. Allegedly, the owners transferred the property to management.

There is a lot of information that the Russian PIN bank owned by Yevgeny Ginner (this is the so-called Luzhnikov group connected to Babakov, the Russian military industry, as well as crime) continues to receive refinancing from the National Bank of Ukraine. During the war, he allegedly received more than a billion.

Finally, what is Abramovich doing at the negotiations in Istanbul? Abramovich managed Yeltsin's money, and now, according to the press, Putin's money. What is the effect of the fact that Ukraine invites and allows him everywhere? Are we buying or selling? The state or individuals from the Ukrainian government? Society should know about this. війн

For the effective continuation of sanctions, we must be an example of toughness and honesty in all relations with the aggressor.