U.S. Moves to Seize Two Planes Owned by Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich
Wall Street Journal
US Moves to Seize Russian Businessman Roman Abramovich's Planes
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Image copyright: AP Photo [via New York Post]
The Facts
A US court issued warrants on Mon. for the seizure of two private planes belonging to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich after he ran afoul of sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich didn't have the licenses required to fly the US-made jets to his home country of Russia in Mar., which violated US sanctions, according to court documents.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The only way to make Putin halt the invasion of Ukraine is to squeeze members of his inner circle. Harsh sanctions will at the very least force him to the negotiating table.
Establishment-critical narrative
At best, the focus on seizing Russian billionaires' assets is a distraction from formulating a more realistic strategy to defeat Putin and restore Ukraine. At worst, its evidence of clear hypocrisy, given the US wasn't sanctioned for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons. Either way, seizing jets doesn't help Ukraine.
