The stories about economic growth in Russia were probably false, their industrial output is stagnating, and for sure trade has been falling off a cliff for Russia.
We have surprisingly little reliable information on actual conditions, but I bet a normal Russian household economy is in steep decline. This is despite the war chest Putin had build up to bolster Russia in this situation. And production is now sliding despite heavy government industrial investments due to the war.
So when Putin claims all is well, the west is only hurting themselves, he is obviously lying, in a typical propaganda attempt to demoralize Ukraine and the west.
Slava Ukraini

[–] wildflower 8 points 7 months ago

Heroiam slava!

[–] assembly 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If it wasn’t for China, Russia would be in far worse condition. The Russians are getting supplied parts and materials from China due to sanctions. That’s the only reason Russia is still able to have a manufacturing base. Sure they have manufacturing facilities but the material, parts, and equipment has to come from somewhere and that is likely mostly China. In exchange, China gets cheap oil and gas. If China adheres to the sanctions, the impact on Russia would have been far more amplified.

[–] Buffalox 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Absolutely true, the openness investments and trade with China in the hopes of better cooperation and understanding between us, has clearly failed. Instead of cooperation, China has become more and more hostile and bullish, especially after Xi took took over.
China wants to take Taiwan, and they want Ukraine to be an example of a successful hostile takeover. But that ship has already sailed.
There's a good reason USA is scaling back on China, I wish EU would do the same. The EU openness strategy led by Angela Merkel clearly failed with Russia, the same is happening with China.

[–] Hubi 6 points 7 months ago

And half of their industrial investments probably ended up in someones pocket.