The tension between peaceable nations and the Russian Federation intensifies with each passing week. It is the path Vladimir Putin has chosen. The latest development is more serious than it may sound: Russian billionaire and Putin crony Roman Abramovich has had his visa renewal application postponed by the British Home Office. Abramovich isn’t just any Russian businessman doing business in England. He owns the Premier League soccer team Chelsea F. C., on which he has spent hundreds of millions of dollars. He keeps a residence in London and conducts business deals there—or at least he used to.

No reason for the Abramovich delay has been given, but it’s been widely interpreted as part of the retaliation for the Russian regime’s attempt to murder Sergei Skripal on British soil in March. The Home Office has announced it will “review” the immigration status of hundreds of Russians working in the United Kingdom. It’s a courageous move on the part of prime minister Theresa May—and very likely a better one than expelling Russian diplomats. One of the most effective means by which the West can weaken Putin’s power at home is to disrupt the symbiotic relationship between Putin and his wealthiest cronies—between the oligarchs who use their wealth and influence to further Putin’s aims, on the one hand, and the regime that offers them favor and protection, on the other.