Technically, this could be classed as an issue that is live still as he is still in office, and likely will be until 2024 as that is when his last term expires.
Regardless, I have found elements of modern Russia interesting- and of particular interest is/was the "loans for shares" schemes in the 1990s. Seems it was an unorthodox arrangement or 2! Government did need money though and these companies needed some proper management but let's just say the benefits seemed very one sided, based on what I have read.
When Putin came to power in 1999/2000, there was a grand bargain of sorts- oligarchs keep cash in the main, run companies, perhaps even put skills to use which can benefit Russia but politics? Keep your nose out! Tax police were very interested in a number of their affairs in 2000 so I think many found it prudent to agree...Roman Abramovich an excellent example of this. Others, such as Berezovsky, Khodorkovsky to name 2, followed a different path it would seem!
Now then, because let's be honest how they became billionaires and super-rich, pulling strings for a while...well it was interesting! Certainly by Western standards?
Now I suppose this alternate History scenario is Putin actually goes all in and seizes assets, seizes wealth- pays the knockdown prices to purchase it back that they themselves purchased it for, to take it back into state control. As well as legitimate enquiries that are far reaching into their wealth and their tax affairs. No exceptions. Don't think many had ventured overseas at this time.
Is this at all possible, has the Russian state well Putin, got enough clout both security wise and I suppose moral authority internally to do this at this time? Certainly the oligarchs are/were less than popular in Russia.
Obviously in this scenario with no exceptions, Abramovich would not have been able to purchase Chelsea for a start...but what other internal butterflies, let alone external ones might this bring about?
PS: Some wags in recent times may have dubbed Putin to now be the top oligarch...
Regardless, I have found elements of modern Russia interesting- and of particular interest is/was the "loans for shares" schemes in the 1990s. Seems it was an unorthodox arrangement or 2! Government did need money though and these companies needed some proper management but let's just say the benefits seemed very one sided, based on what I have read.
When Putin came to power in 1999/2000, there was a grand bargain of sorts- oligarchs keep cash in the main, run companies, perhaps even put skills to use which can benefit Russia but politics? Keep your nose out! Tax police were very interested in a number of their affairs in 2000 so I think many found it prudent to agree...Roman Abramovich an excellent example of this. Others, such as Berezovsky, Khodorkovsky to name 2, followed a different path it would seem!
Now then, because let's be honest how they became billionaires and super-rich, pulling strings for a while...well it was interesting! Certainly by Western standards?
Now I suppose this alternate History scenario is Putin actually goes all in and seizes assets, seizes wealth- pays the knockdown prices to purchase it back that they themselves purchased it for, to take it back into state control. As well as legitimate enquiries that are far reaching into their wealth and their tax affairs. No exceptions. Don't think many had ventured overseas at this time.
Is this at all possible, has the Russian state well Putin, got enough clout both security wise and I suppose moral authority internally to do this at this time? Certainly the oligarchs are/were less than popular in Russia.
Obviously in this scenario with no exceptions, Abramovich would not have been able to purchase Chelsea for a start...but what other internal butterflies, let alone external ones might this bring about?
PS: Some wags in recent times may have dubbed Putin to now be the top oligarch...
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