Khodorkovsky warns sanctions could further isolate Russia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 May 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Khodorkovsky warns sanctions could further isolate Russia, 22 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53a13a4d14.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 22, 2014
Mikhail Khodorkovsky speaks at the "Ukraine-Russia: A Dialog" congress in Kyiv last month.
Former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky says imposing more sanctions on Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis risks isolating Moscow.
Khodorkovsky told the BBC that the European Union risked playing into the hands of Russian nationalists and called on the EU to help Ukraine become more stable, saying this could stimulate reform in Russia.
Khodorkovsky was Russia's richest man until he fell out with Russian President Vladimir Putin and spent 10 years in prison.
Khodorkovsky told the BBC the situation in eastern Ukraine had deteriorated to the point where even Moscow is unable to manage events there.
Khodorkovsky cited as an example Moscow's recent inability to prevent a separatist referendum by pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk.
He said Ukraine had entered a "slow-burn civil war."
He also said he did not believe Putin was planning to invade eastern Ukraine.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website