The discussion focused on the Russian economy's resilience amid sanctions, with GDP growth projected to drop from 4% to under 2%. Defense spending exceeds social spending, leading to high inflation and wage pressures. Russia's reliance on oil exports, particularly to China, India, and the Middle East, has mitigated some economic impacts. However, long-term vulnerabilities include demographic issues, productivity lag, and rising inequality. The conversation also touched on the global impact of the war, including the potential for a second Cold War, the role of crypto in bypassing sanctions, and the geopolitical implications for Europe and the US.
The discussion focused on the Russian economy's resilience amid sanctions, with GDP growth projected to drop from 4% to under 2%. Defense spending exceeds social spending, leading to high inflation and wage pressures. Russia's reliance on oil exports, particularly to China, India, and the Middle East, has mitigated some economic impacts. However, long-term vulnerabilities include demographic issues, productivity lag, and rising inequality. The conversation also touched on the global impact of the war, including the potential for a second Cold War, the role of crypto in bypassing sanctions, and the geopolitical implications for Europe and the US.