AIBU - otherwise what is the point of economic sanctions ?

[keysonthetable]

A close friend is married to a lovely Russian woman and their home has always been in the UK since they married. Her entire family still live in Russia

He's asked me for my opinion as to whether he should agree to his BIL's request to have his wages paid in to the friend's paypal account and from there to pay the funds over to his BIL when/however he can.

He and I are both torn as to whether this is not on as it helps a Russian national avoid the financial sanctions put in place to try and end the war being foisted upon Ukraine by Russia. Yes, it's his wife's brother but if a large proportion of Russians find similar ways around the sanctions intended to make their life more difficult because of what their leader is doing in their name, it weakens the effect of sanctions and props up the corrupt blood thirsty leader's regime.

What do people think ?

@Rinoachicken

Ordinary Russians suddenly found themselves unable to pay by card on their subway and had to queue up to buy tickets.

Oh how awful for them. Meanwhile, in Ukraine…

For Heavens Sake !

I wasn't saying it like that, I was just pointing out that sanctions are affecting ordinary Russians even if in just a minor inconvenience way for some.

Why are some people so determined to wilfully mis-interpret what they're reading.

I think your friend needs to look very carefully into it and check that they’re not personally breaching any sanctions and also to check that their method is secure and there aren’t any pitfalls that may see the money frozen or disappear into the ether.

Morally I wouldn’t have an issue with this, I’m very much of the opinion that this is a war with putin and his cronies, not ordinary people. I wouldn’t want to see my own family suffer knowing that they had precisely zero to do wit the conflict and if there was a workable solution I’d do it.

Yes, it's his wife's brother but if a large proportion of Russians find similar ways around the sanctions intended to make their life more difficult because of what their leader is doing in their name,

I find it disgusting how happy many people are to make others' lives more difficult. 🤮
What are ordinary people supposed to do?
Would you go and protest if you knew you would be beaten up, tortured and imprisoned? I bet not. But you think other people should? How many dictators have you personally overthrown?

@BonnieBlue88

Yes, it's his wife's brother but if a large proportion of Russians find similar ways around the sanctions intended to make their life more difficult because of what their leader is doing in their name,

I find it disgusting how happy many people are to make others' lives more difficult. 🤮
What are ordinary people supposed to do?
Would you go and protest if you knew you would be beaten up, tortured and imprisoned? I bet not. But you think other people should? How many dictators have you personally overthrown?

I really can't get my head round this "Oh we shouldn't be mean to the ordinary, "man in the street" type Russians". Wars always involve collateral damage caused by the aggressor to its own nation.

A great many Ukrainians are making the ultimate sacrifice to fend off the Russian aggressors. They too are "ordinary people" and this is the extraordinary thing that they are prepared to do. Putting it clearly and bluntly they are prepared to fight and die. If they could succeed and it ultimately ended Putin's reign, the lives of ordinary Russians could well benefit too in the long run if it takes Russia back towards the post Glasnost & Perestroika era.

A large chunk of Putin's military force is currently occupied elsewhere so he currently uses censorship/police force bullying and draconian laws more than ever to control the mass population into following his one-man party line.

🤔 sounds a bit dodgy to me.
So there is a simple handyman who wants his wages paid to an UK (western) account in oder to do what? Avoid sanctions? Save the money for a rainy day? Move eventually to the west?
I think- if genuine- it's very risky. They might end up without their wages and any ability to pay their ways.
Or its a ploy by someone to find ways to avoid sanctions. Criminal offence? Money laundering? Supporting the Russian mafia?
If you are for real stay away!

The rouble is loosing value a lot of Russians would like to convert their money into foreign currency now to lock in the value of what they have. The chances are in a couple of weeks, if he is still getting paid, his wages will be worth a lot less in real terms.

Well this seems poorly thought through. How’s he going to get the money and doesn’t he need his wages to live off, so aren’t you just meaning a little money every month,