Svetlana, an economics student at Lomonosov University (MGU) in Moscow, echoes Putin’s words and affirms that “we are the richest country in the world in terms of raw materials. We have gas and oil in large quantities
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Vladivostok on Wednesday that “Russia may be the only country in the world capable of being completely self-sufficient in natural resources.” So, Svetlana, an economics student at Lomonosov University (MGU) in Moscow, repeats Putin’s words and affirms that “we are the richest country in the world in terms of raw materials. We have gas and oil in large quantities. I don’t think the fuel shortage is in store for us this winter, which Europeans will suffer.”
However, the future economist believes that “if the countries of the European Union and Russia ultimately disagree and run out of supplies, it is their fault that they are freezing this winter, not Russia’s. They are the ones who have imposed the sanctions that make transactions, payments and commerce in general difficult.”
Dmitri, a young man who trains with his friends on one of the football fields of the Moscow sports complex in Luzhniki, cares little about what happens to Europeans. “I’ve heard that they are now experiencing power outages due to non-payment of their bills or gas main failures. But I’m more concerned about the economic situation here in Russia,” he says.
Perhaps Dmitri is referring to the bleak picture some forecasts paint for the Russian economy when sanctions start to become 100 percent effective: more business closures, more unemployment, food shortages and greater famine. “Although many imported products have disappeared from the shelves, I don’t think the situation is critical at all. What used to come from Europe, now comes from China, Turkey, Egypt and many other countries,” said Irina, a cashier at a supermarket in the center of Moscow.
However, he admits that “yes, the sanctions are somewhat noticeable” and gives as an example the disappearance of certain brands and some soft drinks, such as Schweppes tonic.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
