Major Russian businessmen are unlikely to take seriously the offer of former US Ambassador Michael McFaul to lift Western sanctions in exchange for denouncing a special military operation and donating half of his wealth to Ukraine. This was expressed at a briefing by the press secretary of President Dmitry Peskov.
“Great entrepreneurs have their feet on Russian soil. Their businesses operate here, their investments operate here in Russia, their business is conducted here, their main income also arises here. So those who are standing here on their feet, of course, are unlikely to take such proposals seriously, ”Peskov said.
He stressed that Moscow considers the anti-Russian sanctions illegal in terms of international law. Vladimir Putin’s spokesman also declined to speculate on the Kremlin’s reaction if businessmen would respond to McFaul’s proposal.
“Let’s not make any hypothetical reasoning, it looks like a rumor with nothing underneath. In any case, I repeat, we find all these sanctions and restrictions illegal in terms of international law,” he said.
On the McFaul blog early March 21 presented A plan to get rid of sanctions for “Russian billionaires”. According to the diplomat, restrictions should be placed on all major Russian entrepreneurs. But at the same time there should be a procedure for their removal.
“Once restrictions are introduced, they should be given the opportunity to withdraw from sanctions lists. First, by condemning the war and personally Vladimir Putin. Second, by donating half of his wealth to the Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Third, they must leave Russia. Seems fair to me,” McFaul wrote.
At the same time, the former US ambassador believes that sanctions should be applied to positions, not specific Russian officials – so that officials can resign and thus avoid restrictions.
McFaul noted that many of his Ukrainian acquaintances and colleagues insist that in principle all Russian citizens be held responsible for the special operation. The diplomat said he understands such feelings, but it is wrong to blame all Russians.
But according to him, there are ways to impress ordinary Russians. In particular, McFaul invites all countries to follow the example of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and ban the entry of Russian citizens on tourist visas.
“Another less radical option would be to add a “Ukrainian bailout fee” to all visas for Russian citizens traveling to Europe and other democratic countries,” explains the diplomat.
He also added that citizens of the Russian Federation who oppose special operations in Ukraine should somehow openly express their stance. At the same time, McFaul noted that he had no moral right to “sit safely at his home in California” to tell the Russians what to do. But at the same time, “small and symbolic” actions await them.