Putin’s Economic Boasts Mask Mounting Recession Risks Amid Sanctions

At the recent St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented an upbeat narrative of Russia’s economic performance, emphasizing a touted 1.5% growth in early 2025 and declining inflation rates. He heralded progress in reducing dependency on hydrocarbon exports and highlighted growth in manufacturing sectors.However, this confident portrayal sharply contrasts with alarming signals from within his own administration. Just a day earlier, Economic Minister Maxim Reshetnikov openly warned that Russia teeters “on the brink of going into a recession.” Such candid admissions are rare in Kremlin circles but underscore significant economic fragility under international sanctions.Economic Realities Veiled by...