Jonathan Pie: How Putin Weaponized London’s Greed | NYT Opinion

These are, to say the least, uncomfortable times to be a Russian oligarch.

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, governments are taking aim at the superwealthy with close ties to Vladimir Putin, hitting them with sanctions, cutting off their access to offshore wealth, seizing their luxury yachts and villas and generally making it difficult to be a filthy rich person.

But in the Opinion Video above, Jonathan Pie, the fictional broadcast journalist played by the comedian Tom Walker, argues that even while the United States and the European Union have come down hard on Russian oligarchs, Britain has taken a gentler approach. This response, he argues, is the result of a dark symbiotic relationship that the country has developed with ill-gotten Russian money.

For years, Russian wealth has poured into Britain with few questions asked, helping to finance political campaigns and buoying the luxury property market. Russian oligarchs have been so happy to avail themselves of Britain’s laissez-faire regulatory climate to park their wealth and launder dirty money that the nation’s capital has earned the moniker Londongrad.

And that, Pie argues, is why the British government has been reluctant to step up the pressure on the Russian elite. Stronger sanctions, he argues, would risk hurting Britain even more than they would Putin and his cronies.

“And this was Putin’s plan all along,” Pie asserts. “For 20 years, he’s been slowly neutralizing us as a threat — by using our own greed against us.”

Jonathan Pie videos were previously licensed to RT — formerly known as Russia Today — in the U.K. Mr. Walker has never worked for the network and has had no relationship with it since 2016.

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[AdamWestbrookArt]

Yes, Pie is back on the Times! I'm Adam, the producer of this new Opinion Video with acerbic British reporter Jonathan Pie.

What story would you like to see him take on next? (Although if we make another video, he *will* insist on being a "UK correspondent"...)🙄

[lukehp]

Taking Jonathan Pie into the NYT was their best decision.

[wolfiesmith]

We now take comedians seriously and laugh at politicians.

[oscartravis]

Jonathan Pie is incredible. We live in a time when satire and truth are the exact same thing.

[seratonin]

I've never heard of this guy before, but the passion, specificty, and humanity with which he delivered this message has made me a fan! 👍

[con.troller]

The fact that British political parties can accept ANY foreign donations is astounding and vile.

[dansplans]

Thanks to the NYT for giving this guy a platform, nobody in the UK was going to have the balls to do it

[johneland]

Tom Walker may be a political satirist but he does tell it in a way that ordinary people can understand, he tells it straight and for that I'm truly grateful, we need this guy more than anyone knows.

[martakoltuniuk]

Thank you. I live in England but I'm Polish. When I talked to my colleagues about Russia, Putin and his counterintelligence activities in England, people laughed. They shook their heads and said they understand I could just be prejudiced against him because I'm Polish. Just forewarned. When I asked about all those wars: two in Czeczenia, in Georgia, in Azerbaijan - people don't even know there was an ongoing war in Ukraine since 2014- was silent and shook arms, so what. Something like - you people are annoying. Of course I can say "why I'm nervous for is none of my business". I am terrified by the fact how ignorant and asleep the citizens of this country are. Even more, you can take freedom from the English people with the help of the media and appropriately selected lobbyists. You can buy all their freedom like a subscription. All what people can say is "what you mean, you can't change it anyway". The Russians said the same and they live in dictatorship. Wake up people, because either you or your children - you will pay for freedom with your blood. This is happening.

[kathowed]

Even toned down for the NYT, Pie still delivers his much needed articulate and outraged clarion call for compassion and common sense.

[dynamic]

Crazy times... When political satire, labelled as "Opinion" is the only source of *factual news*

[thisiscrazy]

Jonathan Pie by UK standard and his usual standard in this opinion piece hasn't swung and missed any shot. Amazing how much we've regressed that we need comedy actors to deliver the hard truths ! Hear, hear to Jonathan Pie, may he be the voice of reason that need in this dark times !

[momogato]

The "London Laundromat"
Another aspect not completely made aware to the general public.
This greed extends into the Americas and into South and East Asia, as well.
Thanks for giving some clarity to what is actually going on.
*SIGH* Just follow the Money if you want to know why things everywhere are so screwed up, especially when there are clear and simple solutions to a great majority of our issues as humanity.

[andrewfayers]

Everything I feel, but am not articulate enough to express, pours out of this man, in a glorious torrent of words.
I am speechless with admiration.

[spankflaps]

The U.K. has the ‘Money Laundering Act’ but this only applies to Joe Public, and not the oligarchs the law was aimed at. For example I had to jump through hoops when buying my house to prove where I got the money, and I was using the family solicitors who knew where every penny of our money had come from for the last 60 years.

[sharonwashington]

Just brilliant, put so beautifully! No matter how many times I watch him he always makes me chuckle. His honesty is above and beyond!

[elipa]

I, as a German, love Jonathan Pie. Go on.

[gengphoto]

I love Jonathan Pie. He gets to the heart of the matter and speaks the truth that people think about but aren't able to say. He has a remarkable ability to observe, and give voice to the frustrations of millions of people. Thanks for having him on NYT.

[chasidahl]

I've long stopped laughing when I listen to JP- I now find myself simply agreeing with every single thing he says. Absolutely superb 👌

[daverj]

My dad always said money makes the world go round. He also said whenever there's money there's a racket. Right on both counts