A thread on Russia

It will be becoming clear to those around Putin, the first and second tier of ‘siloviki’ (security apparatus), oligarchs and technocrats that make up the ‘greater Kremlin’, that whatever happens with this war,

— Gabriel Gatehouse (@ggatehouse) February 28, 2022

Neutral Swiss poised to freeze Russian assets – president https://t.co/nOMke5RFnw

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 27, 2022

We seem to be tailspinning into chaos. I have covered crises before, but nothing comes even close:

1) BP decided to take a hit of as much as $25 billion, just to leave Russia immediately. https://t.co/p1szC1GRuj

— Nikos Chrysoloras (@nchrysoloras) February 27, 2022

Russia central bank urges calm amid cash run fears https://t.co/adgetBfIRa

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 27, 2022

Russia has $630bn in international reserves.

A big chunk of that is held overseas.

Western sanctions agreed tonight are designed to stop Putin being able to spend even a single rouble worth.

— Henry Foy (@HenryJFoy) February 26, 2022

A Russian energy embargo would cause massive energy shortages in Europe, leading to blackouts and a deep recession. It would cause global oil prices to perhaps double.

As much as the world is mad at Putin, that is not a price the West is willing to pay.

— John Arnold (@JohnArnoldFndtn) February 26, 2022