For the Kremlin, COVID-19 is not just a crisis — it’s an opportunity to get sanctions lifted.
The Kremlin seized on a letter UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to G20 leaders on March 24 calling on countries to temporarily waive sanctions on certain industries during the COVID-19 crisis. Vladimir Putin has since called on the G20 to lift sanctions altogether.
The Kremlin is also leveraging its network of Putinverstehers in Europe to amplify Moscow’s efforts. And Russia has launched a propaganda campaign framing the United States as inhumane for maintaining sanctions during a global pandemic.
Listen to the Power Vertical Podcast as Brian Whitmore, Maria Snegovaya, and Donald. N Jensen consider what will happen with sanctions in the time of coronavirus.
Intro Audio Clip: “Message from the President to the Federal Assembly” via the Kremlin under CC BY 4.0.
The Power Vertical is a CEPA podcast covering the Kremlin for Kremlin watchers. All opinions are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent the position or views of the institutions they represent or the Center for European Policy Analysis.
