The world is in turmoil, and two vicious wars rage, because Vladimir Putin and his accomplices stole, then harnessed, the wealth of Russia which encompasses 11.5 per cent of the global landmass with enormous natural resources. He has created the world’s largest, militarized kleptocracy and aims to dominate the world. Putin controls minerals, metals, and oil resources worth $75 trillion, more than the US and Saudi Arabia combined. He is also the world’s only trillionaire (equivalent to 1,000 billionaires) — but his name does not appear on the Forbes’ billionaire list nor does it show up on any bank accounts, share certificates, or property deeds. The 105 Russian billionaires listed by Forbes in 2023 are Putin’s proxies and partners, and most of their assets or companies are controlled and owned by Putin. As former Russian chess champion and exiled politician Garry Kasparov said: “[Putin] controls more money, directly or indirectly, than any other individual in the history of the human race". And money determines who rules the world.
© 2024 Diane Francis
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