Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, in an interview with Corriere della Serra, discussed how the war in Ukraine has impacted his business, the "pressure" from the Kremlin on oligarchs, and his frozen assets in Sardinia. Below is the translation of the interview.

Alisher Usmanov, how much have the sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine cost you?
I left my business 10 years ago, and it's difficult to calculate the extent of the losses. They affect not only me but also members of my family, tens of thousands of people who received assistance from companies in which I am a shareholder, their employees, charitable organizations, and development projects. Among them are the sick, the needy, and artists. On the other hand, the damage to my reputation is enormous.
The measures against the Russian elite are putting pressure on President Putin. Isn't this economic battle better than the actual battle happening in Ukraine?
When people are stigmatized for pocket money or passports, history shows us what the consequences will be. If collective responsibility is correct, then justice is dead.
But what if Putin funds himself solely from your taxes?
So why not impose sanctions on Western companies that continue to operate in Russia? According to some estimates, they paid $3 billion in taxes last year.

In fact, Zelensky wants sanctions applied to them as well.
What should those who own companies in Russia do to avoid paying taxes? I don't think these measures will stop military actions.
Are you a friend of Putin's? Do you also take on "special responsibilities" that the Kremlin imposes on oligarchs?

Western journalists and politicians often consider Russia a country where entrepreneurs follow Kremlin orders. But this is a misconception. Those who truly believe this understand nothing about Russia.
As for the oligarchic label I have never been involved in privatization, never received questionable help from the state, always worked at market prices, transparently. As for Putin, yes, he has rewarded me for my successes, even in years when foreigners fought for such status. Suddenly, success became a crime?
Is it right to occupy Ukraine?
I'm far from politics; I prefer areas where people can unite, not divide: Sports, Business, Charity. I am close to all the victims of military actions in Ukraine, and I hope that this tragic conflict will end soon, and diplomacy will finally play its role. We need to restore mutual trust lost in haste. Europeans are no exception.
You have frozen assets in Sardinia. What do you think will come of this?
It saddened me that Italy imposed sanctions against me; friends don't behave like that. But I understand that politics is politics. I won't forget my love for Italy, the songs I sang as a child, the football players. I even dreamed of becoming a fencer like an Italian.
How will it end? I believe that the law triumphs over political interests. In any case, except for one villa, all the property in Sardinia now belongs to trusts I established for the benefit of my family members many years ago, not to me. It was my duty as the head of a large Islamic family.
You're the owner of the Russian financial newspaper "Kommersant," which has managed to maintain autonomy from propaganda. What activities is it engaged in?
When I bought it, it was just a showcase for me. Mostly, I read it, and I still do. As a shareholder, I don't feel pressure and don't interfere in editorial work.
They say that the decision of the International Fencing Federation to allow Russian athletes to participate in competitions was influenced by Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan.
What do you think of the incident at the World Championships in Milan a few days ago: the Ukrainian fencer did not greet the Russian fencer, was disqualified, and then reinstated?
I voluntarily stepped back from applying sanctions as the president and no longer have any business relationship with the Federation. Whoever slanders me may be held accountable. But I hope that sooner or later, my contribution to the popularity of this sport will be recognized. Of course, it upsets me that the attitude toward Russian citizens, toward Uzbeks like me, is so negative that I don't know when I'll resume Federation service," Usmanov concluded.
Alisher Usmanov has been under EU sanctions since February 2022 the US, Canada, the UK, and Japan have also imposed sanctions against him.
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