Russia is lying about its economic strength: sanctions are working – and we need more
www.theguardian.com
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:00:08 +0300
The signs are clear that not everything is as rosy in Putins Sovietstyle war economy as Moscow would have us believePresident Vladimir Putin and his authoritarian regime are peddling the false narrative that the Russian economy is strong, and that its war machine is unharmed by western sanctions.
This is a lie that must be rebutted.
In fact, there are many signs that the Russian war economy is deteriorating.
The sanctions and other measures to weaken the Russian economy are effective, but even more can be done.
We must continue to increase pressure on Putins regime and support Ukraine.During the Nato summit in Washington DC, western leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraines defence.
But Russias war against Ukraine is not only being fought by soldiers on the ground.
It is also a war of information, on which the Kremlin spends an estimated 1.5bn 1.2bn a year, and of economic strength.
Putin and his authoritarian regime want us to believe that Russia stands unmoved by sanctions and other efforts made to support Ukraine, freedom and democracy.
Thus, it is extremely important that politicians, the media and economic institutions in the west do not take the information coming out of the Kremlin at face value.
When taking a closer look at the signals, it becomes clear that everything is not as rosy with the Russian economy as Moscow would have us believe.Elisabeth Svantesson, minister for finance, SwedeStephanie Lose, minister for economic affairs, DenmarkMart Vrklaev, minister of finance, EstoniaRiikka Purra, minister of finance, FinlandArvils Aeradens, minister of finance, LatviaGintar Skaist, minister of finance, LithuaniaEelco Heinen, minister of finance, NetherlandsAndrzej Domaski, minister of finance, Poland Continue reading...
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