Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumRussia's Economy Has Reached a Point Nothing Can Save It - The Global Gambit - Pyotr Kurzin with Konstantin Samoilov
Russias economy is still being portrayed as resilient but beneath the surface, the cracks may be getting harder to hide.
In this latest conversation with Konstantin Samoilov, we break down the real state of Russias economy in 2026: worsening regional budget crises, rising inflation, declining public services, labour shortages, hidden deficits, and growing pressure on Putins wartime system.
While official data still projects stability, many analysts argue that Russias economic model is becoming increasingly dependent on secrecy, state spending, and shrinking reserves. We explore what life now looks like across Russia beyond Moscow, why regional governments are struggling, and whether the Kremlin can continue financing both war and domestic stability at the same time.
We also discuss how economic pressure may change Putins political behaviour, the growing strain on industrial production, and why some believe Russia is entering a far more unstable phase. As Europe increases support for Ukraine and Russia faces deeper internal strain, the economic story may become just as important as developments on the battlefield.
sheshe2
(98,103 posts)just give us a little more time to catch up.
ChicagoTeamster
(1,135 posts)After all the death and destruction, their lives are now going to be fucked economically. I would think Putin is screwed. Nobody will want him there. And, he can't go anywhere else in the world either. He's a threat to everyone around him now. And, they're potentially threats to him.
Wonder how this is going to play out. How soon til he's gone?
And, then with Putin, Orban, Bolsonaro, , and hopefully soon Milei and BiBi gone. Where will the Trump administration criminals go?
I know it's just wishful thinking at this point but, the situation is not favorable to any of them. Milei and BiBi are probably not presently in any real danger but if things keep going badly in their countries too and the Republicans lose in November and even more so in 2028,
Argentina and Israel will likely lose US support.