Russia Faces Mounting Crisis, But Putin Remains Defiant
Warsaw, Poland – Russia is grappling with a deepening crisis fueled by economic sanctions and battlefield setbacks, yet experts warn that economic pressure alone will not compel Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Professor Vladimir Ponomaryov, a Russian oppositionist, asserts that while sanctions are effective, their inconsistent submission and delayed implementation have allowed the Kremlin to mitigate their impact.
“It is not that economic sanctions are not effective. They work. The problem is that economic action alone is not enough for putin to end the war,” Ponomaryov stated. He argues that a single wave of sanctions, however ample, is insufficient to alter Putin’s course. Instead, restrictions must be integrated into a broader strategy encompassing robust NATO support for Ukraine and a unified, strong europe.
Ponomaryov contends that Putin’s war isn’t about territorial gains. “Putin cannot allow Ukraine to choose the European path of progress and succeed on this path,” he explained. “This would be a signal to other Russian regions that this is the path to prosperity…The example of Kiev would become a signal that things can be different.” He believes Putin will only cease hostilities when faced with a genuine existential threat to his power and his vision for russia.
despite Russia’s economic weaknesses – Ponomaryov emphasizes the inherent long-term ineffectiveness of totalitarian economies compared to free market systems - the contry possesses a significant advantage in its mobilization capacity. “Russia has a lot greater mobilization capacity at a specific moment due to its totalitarianism. This gives her an advantage at this point,” he noted.
Ponomaryov advocates for a three-pronged approach to counter Russian aggression: continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian fuel production, sustained support for Ukrainian resistance on the front lines, and the implementation of coordinated, targeted sanctions. “These three elements will bring success in combating Russian aggression,” he concluded.
(Przemysław Ciszak, journalist of money.pl)
