Bill Browder, a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin's regime, is urging the international community to impose sanctions on refineries that buy Russian crude oil in order to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The 16-year-old fight against Putin has seen Browder face numerous threats, including lawsuits and even Interpol arrest warrants. Yet, he remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, having already had a significant impact on the Kremlin's finances via asset freezes and sanctions.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Browder made his case for targeting refineries that process Russia's crude oil into fuel products such as petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. He claims that these eight refineries collectively funnel around $500 million to $1 billion per day into Putin's coffers by purchasing Russian crude.
Browder believes this is a straightforward solution to the war's financial sustainability problem. "How does Putin afford this war? And it's with the sale of crude oil. Who buys the crude oil? There are three countries that are the main purchasers: China, India, and Turkey."
If these refineries were to stop buying Russian oil, Browder estimates that Russia would be able to sell its crude at a significantly discounted price, akin to blood diamonds. This, in turn, would render Putin's regime "pretty much out of business" within six months.
Browder acknowledges the complexity of targeting the refineries' owners but believes it is an easier solution than going after the 200 ships transporting Russian oil. "You can either go to the people who buy the oil and they don't buy it, or you can go to the 200 ships that are transporting the oil and they don't transport it. It's easier to get the people."
However, Browder remains frustrated by stalled progress on releasing frozen Russian sovereign assets worth over $200 billion. Negotiations with Belgium have been blocked due to concerns about confiscating money, an issue Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever described as "an act of war."
Browder disagrees, arguing that sending those assets to Ukraine would be a logical extension of the current policy of interest paid on frozen assets being handed over to Kyiv. He believes it is Belgium's prime minister putting his personal safety above national interests.
As the conflict drags on, Browder remains resolute in his determination to bring an end to Putin's war through financial pressure. "Regardless of all these 20-point peace plans, negotiations, the war's not going to end," he says. "And so we're going to be sitting here a year from now. We'll have burned through half of that loan and we're going to need to be thinking about what happens next."
Browder's fight against Putin has seen him face numerous challenges, but his resolve remains unwavering in the pursuit of justice and an end to the conflict.
The 16-year-old fight against Putin has seen Browder face numerous threats, including lawsuits and even Interpol arrest warrants. Yet, he remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, having already had a significant impact on the Kremlin's finances via asset freezes and sanctions.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Browder made his case for targeting refineries that process Russia's crude oil into fuel products such as petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. He claims that these eight refineries collectively funnel around $500 million to $1 billion per day into Putin's coffers by purchasing Russian crude.
Browder believes this is a straightforward solution to the war's financial sustainability problem. "How does Putin afford this war? And it's with the sale of crude oil. Who buys the crude oil? There are three countries that are the main purchasers: China, India, and Turkey."
If these refineries were to stop buying Russian oil, Browder estimates that Russia would be able to sell its crude at a significantly discounted price, akin to blood diamonds. This, in turn, would render Putin's regime "pretty much out of business" within six months.
Browder acknowledges the complexity of targeting the refineries' owners but believes it is an easier solution than going after the 200 ships transporting Russian oil. "You can either go to the people who buy the oil and they don't buy it, or you can go to the 200 ships that are transporting the oil and they don't transport it. It's easier to get the people."
However, Browder remains frustrated by stalled progress on releasing frozen Russian sovereign assets worth over $200 billion. Negotiations with Belgium have been blocked due to concerns about confiscating money, an issue Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever described as "an act of war."
Browder disagrees, arguing that sending those assets to Ukraine would be a logical extension of the current policy of interest paid on frozen assets being handed over to Kyiv. He believes it is Belgium's prime minister putting his personal safety above national interests.
As the conflict drags on, Browder remains resolute in his determination to bring an end to Putin's war through financial pressure. "Regardless of all these 20-point peace plans, negotiations, the war's not going to end," he says. "And so we're going to be sitting here a year from now. We'll have burned through half of that loan and we're going to need to be thinking about what happens next."
Browder's fight against Putin has seen him face numerous challenges, but his resolve remains unwavering in the pursuit of justice and an end to the conflict.
thinkin bout bill browders point, it makes sense why ur just gotta hit refineries that buy russian crude oil... if u can take away their money stream, then u can pretty much shut down putins war machine 
think about it, alot of ppl dont realize how much money is changin hands in this conflict. browder says 500-1000 million per day goes to putin... thats crazy! 
so yeah, if ur gonna take away that money stream, u gotta be brave and target the people buyin oil 
. Browder's idea of targeting refineries is actually a good one 
. If it means Putin's regime has less cash, maybe the fighting will slow down 
. I just hope our leaders can get their act together and work on releasing those frozen assets already 
. It's not like we're asking for much - just peace and safety for our kids 
. Browder's determination is really inspiring 
. We should all be standing with him, pushing for change 
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. I'd love to see some numbers on that.
. Like, what's the worst that could happen? A few billion euros get blocked off from being sent to Ukraine? Who cares?! We're talking about lives here, not just money 
Let's put pressure on those refineries and make them stop buying Russian oil. It's time for Putin to feel the pinch 
Refineries buying Russian oil is literally the most obvious thing to cut off funding for Putin's war machine. I mean, it's not like we haven't tried everything else already... 
Turkey, China, and India are basically just enabling Putin at this point... 
. How do these refineries not already be doing that? And what makes him think this isn't just going to be a temporary solution?
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Eight refineries, $500 million to 1 billion daily in profits... that's some serious cash 
I mean, it makes sense but there are plenty of shady deals going on at every level. 
The $200 billion frozen assets thing... Belgium's just being cautious? That's fair I suppose. But Browder thinks he knows best 
After all, he has been through the wringer himself. His determination is admirable 
Still, let's not get ahead of ourselves 
i mean who else would dare to go after those refineries that r funnelin millions 2 putin's war machine? 
and it's not even that hard cuz u can just say no 2 china, india, & turkey 
. And I agree with him that sending those frozen assets worth over $200 billion to Ukraine would be a logical extension of the current policy - it's about time we stop playing by Putin's rules and start taking back control 
. The fact that Browder has faced threats and arrests for speaking out against Putin shows just how brave (or crazy?) you have to be to take on this fight 
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it's been 16 yrs since the conflict started & things are still super bleak for civilians 
refineries that buy russian crude oil could be a major solution tho 
. It's like they're saying "hold my beer while we sort this out" 
. Anyway, back to Russia - it's clear Browder isn't afraid of Putin's goons, and that takes courage 
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