Putin Threat to Punish Investors Lays Bare Retaliation Risks

President Vladimir Putin’s threats to retaliate for further sanctions on Russia set the stage for escalating economic warfare that may have painful effects for U.S. and European companies.

While the Russian leader is casting himself as reluctant to take countermeasures against additional penalties from the U.S. and European Union, he hasn’t ruled out doing so eventually. Such a move could dash billions of dollars in foreign investment in some of the world’s biggest untapped oil reserves.