"Putin's Masterstroke: Turning a Western Boycott into a Global Bonanza"
Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned the Western boycott of Russia into a financial windfall for the country's loyal elite and the state itself. By forcing companies to sell at fire-sale prices, limiting sales to Moscow-approved buyers, and sometimes seizing firms outright, Putin has overseen one of the largest transfers of wealth within Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. Western companies that have announced departures have declared over $103 billion in losses, with Putin squeezing as much of that wealth as possible through dictating the terms of their departure and imposing increasing taxes. The Russian economy has remained relatively resilient, allowing Putin to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the ongoing war. However, the wave of departing companies has stung, sending a global signal that Russia is a business pariah and reinforcing its image as a dangerous place to do business.