Analyst says 'Fortress Russia is gone' in face of US sanctions • FRANCE 24 English

The US, EU, and their allies have been announcing measures designed to isolate and weaken the Russian economy. Since 2014, Vladimir Putin has been taking pre-emptive steps to protect the economy from future sanctions. But Brian O'Toole, former US Treasury Official and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, says that in the face of Western sanctions, "Fortress Russia is gone."

[brodyalden]

Russia has succeed in upgrading from a 2nd to a 3rd world country in one elegant move. Well done
👏👏👏

[miduv]

Putin made a major miscalculation on Ukraine and unfortunately the Russian people will pay the price. We should always support freedom loving people.

[saneasthenextguy]

Russia needs to leave Ukraine and then make restitution for damages and lives lost.

[ruiferreira]

I just hope these assets will be used to pay war compensations to Ukraine and to those that are helping Ukraine.

[ThalesWell]

People need to be willing to make some sacrifices to their own comfort in order to best aid Ukraine and pressure Russia into restoring peace. That includes cutting off the oil.

[voytech]

I have to admit iam shocked how much the world actually turned against Russia. Bravo 👏

[florbfnarb]

Speaking of a "huge drop" in the Russian economy coming up: Russia's GDP per capita was already around that of China BEFORE this invasion and the sanctions. They're now going to be poorer than China not only absolutely, but even on a per capita basis. Putin presumably intended this invasion to be a demonstration of Russian power, but all it's done is to demonstrate Russian weakness, both militarily and economically.

I pity the Russian people for this, but it's their responsibility to take charge of the situation and demand the removal of Putin. And their military needs to make clear that they won't be used as puppets to protect a tyrant from his own people.

[kentmckean]

It's time for Putin's inner circle to put him out of the worlds misery. Putin dreams of being Julius Cesar, and the Ides of March is only two weeks away!

[cmac]

This is a brilliant interview. Well done. God bless the Ukraine.

[SK-ltso]

"Left his foreign reserves overseas"!
Way to go "Moscow Mussolini"!

[MrCdnBeef]

"...15 to 17 trillion dollars everyday.." Good God. I had no idea it was that much

[davidalvidrez]

I just feel sorry for the average Russian citizen. As for Chinese bonds, I've heard that some of it is just on paper, with nothing to back it up.

[dracorpgroup]

The summary in this short video is brilliant; clear, concise and well spoken. Thank you for this.

[relaxedsack]

A fortress economy, in the age of economic guided missiles.

[maestrovso]

France 24 have been doing an excellent job in covering the Ukraine. BBC now is not a skeleton of its former self. Deutsche Welle also has been excellent with extensive coverage. I am in US in case you wonder.

[Ironic_Jihad]

Thank you, F 24 for your coverage. Keeping the world informed.

[fallingage]

Russian people will learn how precious is peace and a peaceful leader is

[ianmuir]

Eventually the Russian people will get so sick of Putin that he will have to go, this is there chance for a Regime change

[squiggy]

Honestly my pity for ordinary Russian people evaporated once I saw an interview with a 8 years old Ukrainian boy, fighting back tears when he said his father remained behind to help defend the country. He even managed to smile when he thanks his rescuer for letting him into their van.
I wished nothing more than for the Russian economy to tank and their banks collapses due to massive withdrawal. If the Russians do not take upon themselves to stop the war, they can also join in the misery.

[davidturbitt]

Western governments need to seize (not just freeze) ALL the western based assets of the sanctioned oligarchs. Next, apply a 2% per day "tax" on the initial value of those assets for each day Russian troops remain on Ukraine soil. All monies generated this way should immediately flow to the Ukrainian government to be used for fighting the war and rebuilding after the war.