US and EU have sanctioned Putin today. Although the reasons are clear, based on my limited understanding this seems more like a symbolical gesture.
Here is why it seems to me like this:
- I doubt that he personally needs money (or even remembers how they look like). He is one of the most powerful people in the world and as long as he remains in power, he has anything he needs
- In comparison to russian oligarchs (whos assets are still hard to track), Putin's assets outside of Russia are probably extremely hard to find. And the assets in Russia are beyond the reach.
So my question is: what are the real implications of those sanctions besides showing a clear message to smaller fish in his surrounding (If we are going for a big guy, we are clearly serious), somehow hurt his ego.
I have seen this question What does it mean in practice that Putin and Lavrov will be personally on EU's sanctions list? and do not think it answers my question