UK adds Russian President Putin’s Ex-wife, alleged girlfriend to sanctions list

TIL Desk/World/London/ The UK government on Friday added further names to its list of financial sanctions aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, including his former wife and a retired gymnast allegedly in a relationship with him, in reaction to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the latest tranche of sanctions is intended to strike at Putin’s ‘wallet’ of family and friends, whom he rewards with state positions and wealth in return for their undying loyalty. She noted that while the Russian President’s official assets are ‘modest’, his lifestyle is funded by a cabal of family, friends and elites.

“We are exposing and targeting the shady network propping up Putin’s luxury lifestyle and tightening the vice on his inner circle. We will keep going with sanctions on all those aiding and abetting Putin’s aggression until Ukraine prevails,” said Truss. The UK Foreign Office pointed out that official records list few assets for President Putin including a small flat in St.Petersburg, two Soviet-era cars from the 1950s, a trailer, and a small garage.

“In reality, Putin relies on his network of family, childhood friends, and the selected elite who have benefited from his rule and in turn support his lifestyle. Their reward is influenced over the affairs of the Russian state that goes far beyond their formal positions,” the Foreign Office said.