An ally of Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia’s business elite would not put pressure on him to change tack on Ukraine due to Western sanctions which would only strengthen support for the president’s policies.
Gennady Timchenko, who is under U.S. sanctions, told Itar-Tass news agency the West had miscalculated when it designed punitive measures it hoped would put pressure on Putin’s inner circle and change Russia’s course in Ukraine.
“No, this can be ruled out,” Timchenko said when asked whether the business elite could influence Putin.
“Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) is only thinking about the interest of Russia. Full stop. There can …read more
Source: Newsweek
