This gave the EU considerable leverage, but also meant it had more to lose. German corporate leaders and senior politicians, such as ex-chancellor Gerhard Schröder, continued to cultivate friendly relations with Putin even as Russia’s troops made incursions into Ukraine. France had two mistral class amphibious assault ships on order from Russia. Italy’s energy corporations were deeply entangled in Black Sea projects. London, the playground of the oligarchs, was the place to make sanctions tell. The Cameron government talked a good game, but was less quick to act.
