Russia political/pandemic update: history repeats itself, once again
Apart from the many unpleasant social, economic, and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, a few developments gradually affected economic behavior in a rather creative fashion. One of them was that many employers and employees realized that one could do almost the same job without going to the office. Working online, including virtual meetings, Zoom calls, etc., often became an integral part of the new normal. As the threat of the coronavirus pandemic eased, while the pressure from the political pandemic increased, remote working has become a kind of lifeline for many Russians, who, in the aftermath of the military operation and especially after the partial mobilization, felt like aliens in their own country. There is little doubt that the Russian economy is being affected negatively by the exodus of so many skilled people. Even though some locals and the media call these individuals "useless" or "betrayers," there is growing evidence that the Russian economy has lost some drive, as well as much of its entrepreneurial spirit. In contrast, the economies of other neighboring countries, where these "useless betrayers" settled, have benefited.
There are no signs of convergence between the positions of the disputing parties, i.e., the West and Russia. What is only in common is that both sides are gradually becoming weaker (on the Western side, this mainly concerns Europe) as politicians encourage their subjects to bear some hardships and costs for prospects of a better future. When leaders elected by the people begin to think that they are chosen by God, serious problems emerge. Hence, the geopolitical risks affecting the Russian economy can only become greater, and one should not yet count on any light at the end of the tunnel.
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