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Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy head of the State Security Council, has said it would be “foolish” to believe that Western sanctions against Russian businesses could have an impact on the government in Moscow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The West has imposed a host of sanctions on Russia, and some sanctions target Russian oligarchs believed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
“Let us ask ourselves: Can these businessmen have even the slightest influence on the leadership of the state?” Medvedev said in an interview with the Russian news agency RIA.<\/p>\n
“I’m telling you openly, no, there is no way.”<\/p>\n
But analysts believe punishing the oligarchs may work, as they could put pressure on Putin to change strategy.<\/p>\n
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.<\/p>\n
He has ordered a “special operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The Kremlin action has sparked outrage and been condemned in many parts of the world.<\/p>\n
The United States and its allies have responded with harsh sanctions <\/a><\/strong>against Moscow.<\/p>\n On March 24, US authorities imposed sanctions on more than 400 Russian politicians, oligarchs and companies.<\/p>\n The US Treasury Department has said it has expanded the list of those sanctioned, including Russian defense companies, 328 members of the State Duma and the head of Russia’s largest banking institution, Sberbank.REL<\/a><\/p>\n \n<\/p>\n top channel
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