I read a decently insightful article in the Economist yesterday, claiming Putin's inner circle doesn't have anything to lose, as they have all already been sanctioned by the Treasury: https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2022/02/19/alexander....
> Why then are the people around Putin not scared about possible fallout from a new round of far-reaching economic sanctions? In their eyes, the sanctions that the West imposed to punish Russia for the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas were intended largely to check Russia’s rise. America and its allies would have found a way to introduce them one way or another, they were just looking for an excuse.
> Since 2014 such views have solidified. Messrs Patrushev, Bortnikov and Naryshkin all find themselves on the US Treasury’s blacklist already, along with many other members of Mr Putin’s inner circle. There is no way back for them to the West’s creature comforts. They are destined to end their lives in Fortress Russia, with their assets and their relatives alongside them.
From: https://archive.is/rHcmU
he could lose access to fiat USD/EUROs but his assets are good as gold: Gazprom,Rosneft etc
Let’s not talk about the perils of being surrounded by yes men.
KJU has served as a role model for Putin and Xi....Kim Jong Il mastered brinksmanship with US.
Push too much you risk getting spanked. Push the right amount...you just might win protection racket from states
When democracies have too much to lose they will surely deal....is what Putin believes and he isn't wrong.
The West was more than happy to do business with the CCP knowing its risks.