The Rachman Review
Putin’s nemesis in the west
Jan 18, 2024
Bill Browder, a Russian corruption fighter, shares his battle against Russian corruption and his campaign to persuade Western governments to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. The podcast explores topics such as isolating Russia, the impact of the Magnitsky sanctions, facing threats from the Russian government, and taking action to help Ukraine's defense and reconstruction.
26:32
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Quick takeaways
- Western governments have successfully frozen over $300 billion of Russian assets in response to the war in Ukraine.
- Bill Browder's advocacy efforts and the Magnitsky Act have become effective tools in deterring human rights abuses and corruption under Putin's regime.
Deep dives
Isolating Russia: The Successes and the Challenges
Despite initial resistance, the effort to isolate Russia has been remarkably successful in various aspects. Over a decade of advocacy, Bill Browder, once the largest foreign investor in Russia, has witnessed a significant change in international sentiment towards the Putin regime. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, more than $300 billion of Russian Central Bank reserves have been frozen. Assets of oligarchs involved in human rights violations or corruption have also been targeted. Western companies have largely withdrawn from Russia, although oil and gas sales still pose a significant challenge. The inability to embargo Russian energy allows them to generate immense funds, sustaining their military operations.
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