They gave early warning of an invasion, but were not heeded. In the meantime, Russia’s elite technocrats have come to terms with the war – and are keeping Putin’s back free.
A few weeks before the large-scale attack on Ukraine, Vladimir Putin received a visit. High-ranking economic experts traveled to the Russian President’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo to brief him on the possible consequences of Western sanctions.
Before Putin, Herman Gref, head of state-owned lender Sberbank, gave a 39-page presentation warning the president of the disastrous consequences of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Gref and Putin know each other well from the days spent together in Saint Petersburg City Hall. The banker has a reputation for being perhaps the most liberal voice in Putin’s circles – and for expressing his opinion openly.
Source: Stern
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