If I had been smart, starting in about 1975, I should’ve invested in special paper, ink and printing presses for printing money world-wide, backed up by THIN AIR!
I’d be rich, Rich, RICH by now! ;)
https://www.thebalancemoney.com/national-debt-by-year-compared-to-gdp-and-major-events-3306287
Obviously Putin doesn’t have to provide a balanced budget, either! *SPIT*
Obviously! Putin is still basically a dictator, so he really doesn't have to do anything. But in 2023 despite the money being spent on the war in Ukraine and a myriad of “economic sanctions” they still managed to pay off $57 Billion of their national debt which was 15% of the total in one year. Putin might be able to spend an additional $126 Billion on infrastructure and social programs over 6 years and keep his budget balanced.
In 2023 the US by contrast increased it's debt by $4 Trillion not including the $212 Trillion in “unfunded liabilities” which are going up at an even faster rate.