Planet Money Of oligarchs, oil and rubles
16 snips
Mar 5, 2022 
Rachel Ziemba, a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, shares her expertise on the impact of sanctions on Russia's energy exports and the struggles of ordinary citizens. Evalyn Sheehan, a former DOJ official, discusses the complexities of seizing oligarchs' assets amidst geopolitical tensions. They dive into the economic fallout from Western sanctions, the challenges posed by currency depreciation, and how these measures affect both the super-rich and the average Russian. The episode highlights the stark realities of economic turmoil and the pursuit of justice.
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Protecting Savings and Essentials
- Exchange rubles for dollars or euros to protect savings during instability.
- Stock up on essential supplies like medicine, anticipating potential shortages.
Russian Response to Currency Collapse
- Russians have historically responded to currency collapses by buying goods.
- This behavior protects their savings by storing value in tangible assets.
Leaving Russia
- Sergei bought his parents one-way tickets out of Russia amidst the crisis.
- This demonstrates a personal response to escalating tensions and economic uncertainty.