Grisha is a friend. Of a sort. He was my boxing coach in Moscow. He told me he was a Tartar... which seemed to be perhaps denigrated in modern Russia. He was sweet and funny and I loved training with him. I sent him a message last night to see how he was. He said OK for now - but his family were shocked and his wife is from Ukraine. Her grandmothers, aunt and niece are still there.
It is unimaginable.
I am listening now to a discussion of reporters discussing Ukraine and hearing about how the UK has been the primary market for Russian companies and oligarchs raising capital. We are 'behind' the EU and the USA in blacklisting oligarchs. We've opened up our property market, football clubs and tax havens for them to hide or clean their money. We've become addicted to their money and don't want to close our doors to the Russians as other dodgy types might be put off if we seem to be unwelcoming. After Brexit, we need friends and we seem willing to have friends across ethical borders.
The French have seized an oligarch's yacht.
The Germans have U-turned their policy to limit military spending. They're sending arms to Ukraine and increasing their defense expenditure dramatically.
The Swiss are imposing sanctions.
The Swedes want to join NATO.
The world has changed in a week. Well, Europe.
On a personal note, glad I didn't put my albeit limited savings into stocks and share.
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