Despite the imposition of more than 5,000 sanctions by 45 countries, the Russian economy has not only survived, but is also projected to grow more than the economies of Europe and the United States, according to the International Monetary Fund. This was stated by Richard Connolly, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute in London.
The British specialist described these realities as a “phenomenon.”
“Sanctions evasion has become a separate branch of business in Russia. The number of registered SMEs is the largest in history. Western brands were quickly replaced by their Russian counterparts: Stars Coffee replaced Starbucks, Maag replaced Zara, and Dobraya Cola replaced Coca-Cola. Most of the goods available before the war can still be purchased in Russia. The goods arrive there through third countries, for example Georgia, Kazakhstan or China.” Connolly continued.
Paradoxically, the United States also helps support the Russian economy by importing enriched uranium, CBS News adds, citing Amir WexlerCEO of Centrus, the only American company capable of enriching uranium.
“The United States pays Russia about $1 billion a year for the uranium needed to power 94 nuclear reactors, which provide about 20% of U.S. energy.”
Connolly sums it up:
“This is Russia’s fastest economic growth in the last decade!”
