Part 12/14:
All these factors converge to suggest that Russia’s current economic path is unsustainable in the medium to long term. The escalating sell-off of gold reserves, the depletion of strategic assets, soaring inflation, and waning international support paint a picture of a nation under severe economic distress.
This economic tension correlates directly with Russia’s military and geopolitical situation. As the resource pool diminishes, backing out of the Ukraine conflict or reaching a peace agreement becomes increasingly attractive for Russia—if not inevitable. Conversely, Ukraine’s strategy to undermine Russia economically—by deep sanctions and resource blockades—appears to be gradually eroding the Kremlin’s ability to sustain its war effort.