The Russian economy (catch all)

[Ken White]

Vlad says he's going to increase the Russian Defense budget by 27% next year. Deja vu all over again indeed...

[kaur]

'Worst Is Yet To Come' For Russian Financial Sector

September 16, 2008

Aslund: Of course, you have a multiple impact. So you can say that the overall causes of the decline in Russia that we have seen on the stock market is first the general economic slowdown, including the [global] financial crisis; the second is the falling oil price; the third is Putin's attack on [mining and metals company] Mechel, which sharply took down the Russian stock market; and then the war in Georgia. These are the four direct causes if you look at the stock market specifically.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Worst_R...r/1200407.html

[kaur]

For now, the Kremlin is desperately spending down the hundreds of billions of dollars in reserves that it put away in good times, all the while trying to quell comparisons to Russia’s economic meltdown in 1998, when the government, under Boris Yeltsin, defaulted on its debt. Mr. Putin, the current prime minister and former president, and his protégé, President Dmitri A. Medvedev, try to assure the public that they are addressing its pain. Yet Mr. Putin has created a government so highly centralized and so resistant to criticism that it is unclear whether it can respond adeptly to rising dissatisfaction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/we...r=1&ref=europe

Protesters rallied in several Russian cities at the weekend against a worsening economy and deteriorating human rights situation – a sign that Russia’s financial crisis might yet challenge the Kremlin’s hold on political stability.

Numbers were sparse at some of the events – which organisers called a national day of protest – as temperatures plunged to -15ºC in Moscow. Authorities, however, seem aware that the turnout could swell if the economic situation does not improve by the March thaws.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ada0dca8-f...0779fd2ac.html

The Kremlin's rule is beginning to look much shakier than at any time since Vladimir Putin came to power, after a series of protests in cities across its vast landmass this weekend by Russians disgruntled about the economy. And as the country starts to feel the effects of the global credit crunch, there are also signs of a growing rift between Prime Minister Putin, and his hand-picked successor as President, Dmitry Medvedev.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...s-1522983.html

[Beelzebubalicious]

Wow. Just read today about how Slovakia is jumping into bed with one of the fat boys . It appears to be a fairly desperate move by the Slovakian govt to avoid getting gas from Ukraine. Ukraine really blew it recently with their recent actions and now it looks like they may pay a heavy price.

I've seen speculation that Ukraine could be next in line for a little Russian aggression. Russian interests have been buying up Crimea. If Russia actually took back Crimea, the Russian population would be supportive. they think it's theirs, anyway.

[Stan]

It appears to be a fairly desperate move by the Slovakian govt to avoid getting gas from Ukraine. Ukraine really blew it recently with their recent actions and now it looks like they may pay a heavy price.

It really will be a desperate move on Slovakia's part. If they would only read this para, the rest will no longer be a mystery.

If Fico imagines that his country's interests are best served by Gazprom, then he would have to believe that Slovaks could actually control Gazprom in a common enterprise.

I've seen speculation that Ukraine could be next in line for a little Russian aggression. Russian interests have been buying up Crimea. If Russia actually took back Crimea, the Russian population would be supportive. they think it's theirs, anyway.

With Georgia slightly at bay and licking wounds, and, the USG offering anyone a million cool for MANPADS (The Ukraine has literally tons of those), someone was bound to go and start slappin those pesky former Russian States.

Eric, does The Ukraine still produce military arms and supplies and compete with the Russian industry? Jeez, hope they don't need gas to produce that Sierra !

[kaur]

The 460 single company towns in the Russian Federation have been hit particularly hard by the economic crisis. Many of the 25 million people who live in them are now unemployed and angry. And they are now organizing protests and beginning to link up with others in a similar fix, according to a leading Moscow business weekly.

http://windowoneurasia.blogspot.com/...d-company.html

[Beelzebubalicious]

I don't know to what extent Ukraine competes with Russia on military arms and supplies that they produce in Ukraine. They do compete in the global arms market and as you know, it's big business.

How many MANPADS does a million $ buy?

As for the economic desperation in Russia, it is also happening in Ukraine. Ukrainians are slow to protest, unless paid and organized to do so, but there are plenty in Ukraine who would benefit from this discontent. In Russia, it seems less straightforward as the opposition doesn't seem to have much room to maneuver.