Free Republic

Russia's economy can't afford to win or lose the war in Ukraine, one economist says. That's because Russia can't afford the cost of rebuilding and securing Ukraine. Russia's economy is completely dominated by its war in Ukraine, so much that Moscow cannot afford either to win or lose the war, according to one European economist. Inflation is high at 7.4% — nearly double the 4% target of its central bank. Meanwhile, direct investment in the country has collapsed, falling around $8.7 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, per data from Russia's central bank. That all puts the Kremlin...