On whom does Putin's power depend more?

[pecksniff]

His generals, or his oligarchs?

I've seen recent speculation on this board that the generals would have overthrown him if he had not invaded Ukraine.

OTOH, the course of action he has chosen is provoking economic sanctions that are bound to hurt the bottom lines of a lot of Russian business interests. How does he know they won't overthrow him?

 

[Rightguide]

His generals, or his oligarchs?

I've seen recent speculation on this board that the generals would have overthrown him if he had not invaded Ukraine.

OTOH, the course of action he has chosen is provoking economic sanctions that are bound to hurt the bottom lines of a lot of Russian business interests. How does he know they won't overthrow him?

I don't think his generals did anything of the sort. I think this is all Putin's doing. In 2015 his wealth was assessed at 200 billion by a well-respected fund manager. That would have made him the richest man on earth at the time. I believe all of Russia's billionaires are subordinate to him in wealth. Putin's power against their collective power is another question. It's quite possible he could have them all shot. I don't know.

 

[butters]

well neither the oligarchs nor the generals are going to enjoy swallowing President Biden's latest, yesterday:

"Today I am announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia's economy. We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy," Biden said in remarks from the White House. "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...ergy-imports/ar-AAUMyyf?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

 

[pecksniff]

It is hard to see how Russia's economy can get by without customers for its oil and gas.

On the other hand, it is hard to see how everybody else's economy can get by without Russian oil and gas.

 

[oggbashan]

It is hard to see how Russia's economy can get by without customers for its oil and gas.

On the other hand, it is hard to see how everybody else's economy can get by without Russian oil and gas.

The EU relies on Russia for 40% of its gas and 25% of its crude oil. The EU has said today that it will aim to reduce both to one-third of the present by the end of this year. Even that will take a lot of hard work and money.

 

[pecksniff]

The EU relies on Russia for 40% of its gas and 25% of its crude oil. The EU has said today that it will aim to reduce both to one-third of the present by the end of this year. Even that will take a lot of hard work and money.

Just so long as they get it done before winter. I understand a lot of Euros depend on natural gas for home heating.

 

[butters]

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAUMS9k.img?h=768&w=1366&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f

 

[WillJ8787]

well neither the oligarchs nor the generals are going to enjoy swallowing President Biden's latest, yesterday:

"Today I am announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia's economy. We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy," Biden said in remarks from the White House. "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...ergy-imports/ar-AAUMyyf?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

Awesome!!! I am willing to pay a lot more for fuel if it means an end to Putin.