West mulls having Russian oligarchs buy way out of sanctions

By ROB GILLIES and FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Government officials say Western allies are considering whether to allow Russian oligarchs buy their way out of Western sanctions and use the money to rebuild Ukraine. Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland proposed the idea at a G-7 finance ministers’ meeting in Germany last week. One official said Freeland raised the issue after oligarchs spoke to her about it. The Canadian minister knows some Russian oligarchs from her time as a journalist in Moscow. One official says the Ukrainian leadership is aware of the discussions and have “some comfort” with the idea since Ukraine badly needs the additional liquidity.