The west could help release billions and hurt Putin’s war effort at the same time, says Olena Halushka, co-founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory
No. The property of the ruling class is holier than any war effort. If they start liquidating russian oligrach money to help Ukraine win the war, next thing people demand billionaires money to be used to fight climate change and famine.
Also freezing assets does not necessarily invoke a retaliation, whereas liquidating the assets could result in western assets in Russia to be liquidated for compensation. This could again hurt billionaires with relevant investments in Russia.
Wait, they haven’t done that already?
No. The property of the ruling class is holier than any war effort. If they start liquidating russian oligrach money to help Ukraine win the war, next thing people demand billionaires money to be used to fight climate change and famine.
Also freezing assets does not necessarily invoke a retaliation, whereas liquidating the assets could result in western assets in Russia to be liquidated for compensation. This could again hurt billionaires with relevant investments in Russia.