The article discusses the current state of Russia's war economy and its implications for Ukraine. Here are the main points:
1. **Economic hardship**: Ordinary Russians are experiencing economic hardship due to inflation, stagnant wages, and a decline in living standards.
2. **Optimism softening**: Economic optimism among Russians has softened, with 39% believing that economic conditions are getting worse, up from 29% in 2022.
3. **Military spending**: Russian military expenditure as a share of GDP has doubled to more than 7%, but the rise in spending has now slowed, with only a 0.1 percentage point increase between 2024 and 2025.
4. **Borrowing options**: Russia has relatively low debt stocks, making borrowing possible, although access to international markets has been cut since the invasion and subsequent sanctions.
5. **Taxation**: Taxes could be raised again to maintain military spending, but this is not a guaranteed option.
6. **Oil prices**: Further falls in oil prices may increase precariousness, while rises might stabilize Russia's war economy.
7. **Short-term stability**: Experts conclude that Russia should be able to keep paying for the war in the short term due to its ability to print money, raise taxes, and nationalize businesses.
8. **Potential for growing discontent**: Growing economic discontent among Russians could translate into growing political discontent, but this is not yet evident.
The article suggests that Ukraine's negotiators will now focus on the fact that Russia's war economy is showing signs of weakness and cannot last forever.
1. **Economic hardship**: Ordinary Russians are experiencing economic hardship due to inflation, stagnant wages, and a decline in living standards.
2. **Optimism softening**: Economic optimism among Russians has softened, with 39% believing that economic conditions are getting worse, up from 29% in 2022.
3. **Military spending**: Russian military expenditure as a share of GDP has doubled to more than 7%, but the rise in spending has now slowed, with only a 0.1 percentage point increase between 2024 and 2025.
4. **Borrowing options**: Russia has relatively low debt stocks, making borrowing possible, although access to international markets has been cut since the invasion and subsequent sanctions.
5. **Taxation**: Taxes could be raised again to maintain military spending, but this is not a guaranteed option.
6. **Oil prices**: Further falls in oil prices may increase precariousness, while rises might stabilize Russia's war economy.
7. **Short-term stability**: Experts conclude that Russia should be able to keep paying for the war in the short term due to its ability to print money, raise taxes, and nationalize businesses.
8. **Potential for growing discontent**: Growing economic discontent among Russians could translate into growing political discontent, but this is not yet evident.
The article suggests that Ukraine's negotiators will now focus on the fact that Russia's war economy is showing signs of weakness and cannot last forever.
. They're trying to keep the momentum going with all this military spending, but at what cost? I mean, ordinary Russians are feeling the pinch, and if things don't get better soon, we might see some major unrest 
. And let's not forget about those oil prices - if they drop further, it could be a recipe for disaster 
. But hey, at least Russia can still print money and raise taxes... or so they think 
. I'm not convinced Ukraine won't try to capitalize on this weakness, though. The whole 'Russia's war economy is showing signs of weakness' thing is like a big ol' warning sign 
. I DOUBT RUMANIA WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP PAYING FOR THIS WAR IN THE SHORT TERM, AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE RUSSIA'S MILITARY SPENDING WAGES SLOW DOWN 
. THAT'S WHEN UKRAINE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO NEGOTIATE A BETTER DEAL 
.
I'm no economist, but it seems like Russia's military machine is running on fumes 
. Like, seriously, how long can you keep printing money and nationalizing businesses before things get... messy? 
And don't even get me started on the whole "growing discontent" thing - sounds like a fancy way of saying people are getting tired of losing their savings to, ahem, "supporting the war effort". 
. I mean, can't we all just focus on something more productive than who's gonna fold first? 
You know I'm all about spreading hope and positivity, and this news just shows me that there's always a silver lining 
. I mean, think about it, if ordinary Russians are struggling financially but the military spending hasn't skyrocketed, does that mean Russia's war economy is starting to run out of steam? That's gotta be good news for Ukraine! 
.
And to think that the military spending is still high, but the growth rate has slowed down... it's just worrying to see how this could affect Russia's stability as a whole. I'm no expert, but it seems like Ukraine's negotiators might be onto something here... that Russia's war economy won't last forever and they should focus on exploiting those weaknesses 
might be time for some tough talks 
. Ukraine's negotiators should be worried about how Russia's gonna keep payin' for its war efforts - not that it's strugglin', obvs 
.
The fact that economic optimism has softened and most Russians believe things are getting worse is a huge warning sign. And don't even get me started on how they're relying on international markets, which were already restricted due to sanctions 
They think they're gonna just keep printing money and nationalizing businesses to keep the war machine going? No way, bro 
Ukraine is gonna be all like "see, Russia can't sustain this" and then they'll be the ones who struggle 
️, even if they do make things a bit tricky for Russia's economy 
.
. And with 39% thinking economic conditions are getting worse... that's a pretty big chunk of the population. I think it's safe to say, Russia's war economy isn't as strong as people thought it was 
. I mean, come on, 39% of Russians think the economy is getting worse? That's like a big ol' red flag wavin' in the air 
️. I'm no expert, but it seems to me like Russia's war economy is gettin' more and more unstable by the minute 
. And what's with this business about experts thinkin' they can just keep printin' money and raisin' taxes? That's not exactly the most stable foundation for a country 
And with oil prices being all over the place, it's gonna be tough for Russia to keep their military spending up 
. I mean, 39% think things are gettin' worse? That's not optimism, that's just plain ol' reality check 
. And what's the deal with them borroin'? Low debt stocks or whatever... it's all just a bunch of financial gymnastics to keep the war machine goin'. I swear, it's like they're playin' a game of economic Jenga up in there and someone's gonna make it all come crashin' down