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 Western companies have largely withdrawn from Russia, although oil and gas sales still pose a significant challenge.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.