The last two years, the Russian economy was in serious crisis, in which the welfare of the citizens was severely curtailed. According to the Russian Institute of social projections, in 2016, a major decrease in the purchasing power of the population after dashing 90’s, when Russia overcame the consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The reasons are obvious. On the one hand, Russia depends on exports of oil, natural gas and raw materials. Over the last decade, almost 70% of exports and more than 50% of the budget revenue of the country was due to the oil and gas industry. In the summer of 2014, oil prices began to decline, which affected the Russian economy.
On the other hand, the international sanctions imposed in connection with the occupation of Crimea, reduced foreign investment and further alienate Russia from the international markets.
Despite the severe consequences faced by Russian society, the rating of Vladimir Putin is not only not diminished, but has reached to the present time record highs.
Indeed, the Russian President had to almost completely change their political agenda to adapt to the new realities that will have to face that old power. In this new phase, foreign policy issues suddenly become of Prime importance, not only in regard to Ukraine and Syria.
READER COMMENTS:
MindlessOne
Let’s make a small excursion into the past. 1996, Barcelona. I see walking on the street Russian. With whom I have associated with? With the bandit. In the same year I see walking down the street Russian. For whom I accept. For a prostitute. If in ten years I’ll meet the Russians, then taking over the wealthy tourist.
It should be understood that in recent years the Russian people have endured many hardships associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s and the ensuing era of wild capitalism. Putin was the first person who actually managed to achieve stability over the past 30 years. A significant portion of the population have not forgotten the past, shortages of goods and food ration cards, shock therapy, during which suddenly burned all the savings of people.
Putin became a politician, managed to use the circumstances in which the country finds itself? Well, if I could say the same about their leaders. Suffice it to mention that this severe crisis he came out with a very low unemployment rate, although there was a decrease in the purchasing power. And what a crisis this is. If you compare the Spain emerging from crisis with great difficulty, five times slower than Russia, with a reduction in the purchasing power of the population and permanent unemployment of 20% (particularly devastating for young people).
If to speak about foreign policy, that the Western press is wont to forget the key point that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union. The agreements about the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, it was stated that NATO will not accept countries of the former Soviet bloc. This provision is systematically violated here for 26 years. And the Baltic republics became NATO members. Such compliance with international treaties has always been regarded by Western powers as a way to humiliate a defeated enemy, to remind him what he had the boldness to play the role of counterweight in the world, as well as his inability to prevent the expansion of NATO, despite the existing contract. Year after year, the NATO, whose existence after the collapse of the USSR was not justified, even in theory, has strengthened as the instrument, which needs Russia as an enemy of the West. And in the end the Alliance did it, returning to its original point, in which Russia acts as the enemy of the West. At least in the eyes of the public.
Just look at the number of news, which devotes Russia and the press, simultaneously referring to more economically robust countries such as China, India, Arab countries. Russia is a convenient enemy: its nuclear capability such that no one will ever dare to fight with it, and its unstable economy means that Moscow also will not go to war with everyone. Perhaps the same cannot be said in relation to other countries with inconvenient leaders, so the media attention is focused on other issues.
I am personally very depressing news hype around Russia. I was walking on Tverskaya the next day after detained 200 people, including “opposition leader”. And so I ask myself the question whether it is possible now and Espadaler Ramon (Ramon Espadaler) is considered the leader of the opposition. Like the detainee in Moscow, he is the leader of a party not represented in Parliament, although I have serious doubts that in Spain someone called “the leader of the opposition”. I watched it all with my own eyes. Now imagine that one of the Central streets of Madrid, Gran via at the intersection about 200 people have gathered and prevent the passage of people. All this happens in the day when people are going to walk, near the entrance to the subway, and at the intersection no traffic signals. The rally came at the most 200 people, but they have created such a traffic jam that impeded the movement of pedestrians for a long time. To overcome the distance that usually takes 3-4 minutes, it took us 25 minutes.
These people are detained, and while some expressed their support, the vast majority were just passing by. By the way, the leader of the was bending over backwards to get him busted. A month ago I was on Krasnaya Presnya, located nearby, and saw the demonstration, which was attended by two thousand people. It was sanctioned by the authorities action, the traffic on the street, where it was held, was blocked by the police. No one was detained. And, of course, the foreign media word about her did not mention. I wonder, would cost unsanctioned demonstration in Barcelona or Madrid no arrests?
The fact that Russia is easy to fabricate scandalous news. I remember a few years ago, the models proposed to appear Topless in front of the Orthodox Cathedral, ostensibly to protect some rights. Need a few girls and the cameraman. Went to the Cathedral, took off and quickly left. And now all the international media spreads the news. Needless to say, professional journalism! Why La Vanguardia published the news Agency EFE on assistance to victims of the terrorist attack in St. Petersburg a few days ago? The thing is that EFE she took this news from Google. Only the Latin American press announced assistance to the victims of the terrorist attack. I haven’t seen any serious Spanish edition, which would light the subject. And God forbid, people imbued with sympathy for the poor Russians who are victims of Islamic terrorism, and Wake up in them the compassion that these articles are trying to destroy.
I do not deny many of the facts, but speak out against bias and lack of objectivity for the sake of “freedom”. Now, let’s exercise in tendentious journalism: take the local newspaper, which enjoys a certain reputation among readers. Make a contract with her that will prepare her for international news, using those sources which you specify. Gradually, along with local truthful news that is easily verifiable, you gradually mixed with biased information from international sources, thus creating a semblance of credibility, and well thought out. The result will not keep itself waiting long: readers will unconditionally believe the international news, because the local is not in doubt, but all the news are published in the same newspaper. So creating views and theses global scale: trump is a fiend, and Russian villains. And a lot of other things to pile up. I have for many years with great concern the news on international issues, published in La Vanguardia, as I had the opportunity to observe the events described are in place. Of course, there are cases worse: it is enough to mention the Prisa group, acting as Spanish propaganda wing of the Democratic party.
