Have the Russian leaders ever been sober in the 21st century?
Russia admits that about a third of its population is living in poverty. Many Russians, and foreign economists, believe the real rate is nearly 70 percent. Russian living standards have suffered continuous disasters since 2013 when the price of the major export (oil and has) fell by more than half and has not recovered. In 2014 Russia declared it was at war with NATO and Ukraine. That resulted in economic sanctions that have gotten worse since then. When the current Russian government took power in 2000 it became very popular by keeping a key campaign promise; to reduce the poverty rate. The poverty rate fell from 29 percent of the population in 2000 to just under 12 percent in 2012. Then came economic disasters, some of them self-inflicted. By 2018 the poverty rate was 14 percent and 33 percent in 2019. In 2020 there was a local and international economic recession caused by covid19.
The Russians are walking around stepping on rakes and blaming the United States.
The leadership consists of chimps with nukes. While nearly everyone else suffers. Bravo.
Russia is weakening and it needs foreign allies. I think allies who don't want Russian territory would be a superior choice in the long run. Because Russia might not be done shrinking.
Somebody in Russia needs to tell Putin he's effing up royally.
