What are Russia's goals?

Putin wants to recreate the USSR in a new form, similar to the European Union.

Although after the collapse of the USSR, Russia recognized the new geopolitical realities and strengthened cooperation with all states in the post-Soviet space, the conditions are such that some allied territories cannot remain without Russian military assistance or without the Russian market.

Russia has many territories, but few sales markets

How to understand Putin's statement about the senselessness of recreating the USSR

WHEN THE USSR 2.0 CAN BE RECREATED, AND WHICH COUNTRIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN IT

Accuracy 10

How does the United States benefit from the war?

The weakening of Russia as a geopolitical rival, the severing of Europe's energy and political ties with Russia, the increasing dependence of Europe on the United States in the field of security and resources, the growth of exports of American weapons and energy resources, the strengthening of US leadership in NATO and the demonstration of global influence without direct participation in hostilities.

US benefits from the end of the war: consolidating achieved results (a weakened Russia, Europe tied to the US, Ukraine in the Western sphere), reducing financial and political costs, lowering the risk of direct escalation, stabilizing the global economy, and the opportunity to focus on a more priority rival—China, while retaining the role of key global arbiter.

Other countries also benefit from conflict, but the difference is that the United States has more resources, more influence, and more severe consequences from any crisis.

Will taxes be raised in Russia after the elections?

Yes, a progressive tax will be introduced

Russia is short of money. For 3 months, the budget deficit is equal to the annual one. The main reason for such a budget deficit is too small revenues from the sale of hydrocarbons.

President Vladimir Putin instructed to modernize the tax system and consolidate it in a new form. He talks about it as if the choice has already been made. The tax hike will hit the Russian economy hard, as it will be easier to import than to produce. It would be better to honestly say that the money is needed for the war, and after the war we will return everything to its place.

Putin believes that society will normally accept the change of the tax system

The budget is bursting at the seams, for 2 months the budget deficit is equal to the annual one. Why this will lead to a catastrophe for the population immediately after the elections.

When will there be a change of the ruling elite in Russia?

In 2024, the transition period to this change will only come.

The sanctions did not discourage the elite's aspirations to the West, but they gave rise to a desire to somehow circumvent the sanctions and quickly cancel or at least weaken part of them. The path to the West for the Russian elite remains the main one, despite the statement of insurmountable differences with the elites of the West. There is simply no other option comparable in terms of profitability. The reduction of the resource base sowed confusion in the elites and required the arbitrator to remove certain players from the number of active clans by force.

When will there be a change of the ruling elite in Russia?

A rapid large-scale purge or replacement of the elite with a new composition? What Is Putin's Choice?