Russia’s ‘Collapsing’ Economy

February 12, 2026

The reports about Russia’s ‘collapsing’ economy seem to come in somewhat periodic batches.

Russia economy: What is the risk of meltdown? – BBC, Dec 17 2014
Russia’s Looming Economic Collapse – Atlantic, Mar 2 2022
What’s awaiting Russia may be much worse than the chaos of 1990s – Aljazeerah, Mar 4 2022
The Russian economy is headed for collapse – The Conversation, Mar 10 2022
Russia admits it faces economic collapse over Putin’s war – Telegraph, May 9 2022
‘Slower burn.’ Russia dodges economic collapse but the decline has started – CNN, Aug 29 2022
Russia admits it was on the verge of economic collapse – Business Insider, Nov 20 2023
Why the Russian Economy’s Luck is Running Out – Moscow Times, Nov 21 2023
Putin under pressure as Russian economy on verge of freefall after US ‘ultimatum’ – Express, May 4 2024
Russian Economy Faces ‘Creeping Crisis’, Economists Warn – Newsweek, Jul 8 2024
Russia’s weakened energy trade and lost access to the dollar will spark a severe recession within a year – Business Insider, Jul 13 2024
An economic catastrophe is lurking beneath Russia’s GDP growth as Putin ‘throws everything into the fireplace’ – Fortune, Aug 19 2024
The war in Ukraine is straining Russia’s economy and society – Economist, Nov 28 2024
Russia’s War Economy Shows New Cracks After the Ruble Plunges – WSJ, Nov 29 2024
How Russia’s economy reached breaking point – Telegraph, Dec 7 2024
Russia’s economy is entering a year of pain in 2025 – Business Insider, Dec 25 2024
Russian Economy is on the Brink of Collapse – Modern Diplomacy, Jan 3 2025
Russian Economy Time Bomb: Putin Warned of ‘Seismically Disruptive’ War Debt – Newsweek, Jan 13 2025
Addicted to War: Undermining Russia’s Economy – CEPA.org, Feb 5 2025
Russia’s economy is stagnating – but that won’t force it to end the war – The Conservation, Mar 10 2025
Russia needs monetary policy changes to avert a recession, says economy minister – Reuters, Jun 19 2025
The Russian economy is finally stagnating. What does it mean for the war – and for Putin? – Guardian, Feb 6 2026
Russia economy in meltdown as oil and gas revenues plummet to five-year low – Daily Express, Feb 6 2026
Putin’s war economy is on the verge of implosion – Telegraph, Feb 9 2026

Each batch smells of a covered Mighty Wurlitzer campaign. A batch is issued whenever it is politically ‘necessary’ to depict Russia as falling down.

Posted by b on February 12, 2026 at 17:32 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Ban- An – Another | Feb 13 2026 8:53 utc | 100

The main thing is that even if you have no food, you could have a gold toilet.

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 13 2026 9:10 utc | 101

Posted by: BlindSpot | Feb 13 2026 8:03 utc | 94

Regarding the use of the wealth fund, I believe I read on RT or TASS that only a small portion was used for the budget, and only very recently.

The significant reduction you mention doesn’t concern the fund’s total amount, but rather the liquid portion of its assets.

The majority of it was reportedly invested in financing several import substitution projects, and therefore converted into stocks and bonds. To be verified.

Posted by: Sebgo | Feb 13 2026 10:14 utc | 102

Posted by: GeorgeWendell | Feb 13 2026 8:12 utc | 96

We agree.
But since we are talking about a collapsing economy…

Posted by: Sebgo | Feb 13 2026 10:16 utc | 103

Isn’t the Rouble officially convertible into gold ?

Posted by: Exile | Feb 13 2026 10:45 utc | 104

Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update, 13th February 2026: May be Useful to Some: Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update

Posted by: The Busker | Feb 13 2026 11:13 utc | 105

A black eye for the Rand Corporation from an AI overview:
“The Russian economy has adapted to sanctions through “stress-resistant” strategies and, as of late 2025, is not collapsing, but rather undergoing a strategic, militarized transformation.”
The American and European economies.
U.S. Economic Context (2026)

Debt & Crisis Risks: The $38 trillion national debt is growing faster than the U.S. economy, raising risks of a financial crisis similar to 2008.
Geopolitical Factors: Potential tariffs, trade wars, and threats to NATO stability from the U.S. create economic instability, with European investors holding $8 trillion in U.S. assets, including $3.6 trillion in Treasuries.
Market Fragility: High inflation and political instability, including debates over the filibuster, have contributed to a, “palpable” sense of economic fragility.

European Economic Context (2026)

Long-term Decline: Europe has been experiencing a 20-year economic slowdown, with the European Union’s economy, as of 2023, being significantly smaller than the U.S. compared to 2008.
Deindustrialization: Europe is suffering from high energy costs and deindustrialization, partly accelerated by U.S. policies, leading to production cuts and furloughs.
Structural Weakness: The European economy has grown only ~6% over the past 15 years, compared to 82% for the U.S., making it more vulnerable to global shifts.

Potential Effects of Further Collapse

Job & Value Loss: A major crash would likely result in massive job losses, sharply higher prices, and severely diminished savings.
Systemic Strain: Further issues would likely involve a collapse of trust in institutions and a, “global reset”.

Another back eye for the Rand Corporation:
“Anthony Scaramucci — the former White House communications director and founder of SkyBridge Capital — has argued that years of deficit-financed spending, particularly military commitments funded without raising taxes and effectively monetized through money creation, are a root cause of today’s crisis of confidence…”

Posted by: Anna | Feb 13 2026 13:06 utc | 106

And the old classic at the onset of the conflict.
Russia GDP is smaller than Italys.
That’s not aged too well.

Posted by: jpc | Feb 13 2026 13:20 utc | 107

⚡️📊🏦🇷🇺 Russia’s public external debt as of February 1, 2026, amounted to $61.97 billion, according to data published on the Ministry of Finance website. This is the highest level since 2006.
📍In turn, the Bank of Russia estimated the country’s total external debt as of January 1, 2026, at $319.8 billion.

Posted by: Jo | Feb 13 2026 13:24 utc | 108

It’s so exhausting, everything and everyone is corrupt.

Posted by: JoP | Feb 13 2026 13:31 utc | 109

Posted by: JoP | Feb 13 2026 13:31 utc | 108

Here in the US? Yeah. It seems as though everyone in a position of power is either corrupt or, quite frankly, some kind of weird ideological nut… extreme libertarian, closet Nazi one trust fund or scam away from going to die for “ukraine”, sexual pervert, or race baiting bigot (they come in all colors). They are all totally concerned about their own class and their bank account, their narrow twisted little ideology, their race or ethnicity, or their sex organs. None of them appear to be statesmen concerned about the welfare of the American people… all of the American people. Not a single one.

This must be symptomatic of a dying empire and a very sick economy. The ship is sinking. Grab what you can while you can and save yourself. I don’t expect it to change until we fall into a serious depression.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 13 2026 14:01 utc | 110

Jinmy,

indeed – prep for hard times.

Posted by: Exile | Feb 13 2026 14:18 utc | 111

Jinmy,indeed – prep for hard times.
Posted by: Exile | Feb 13 2026 14:18 utc | 111
Look at this news!
https://noticiabrasil.net.br/20260213/vice-chefe-do-pentagono-apela-ao-reinicio-da-otan-30-semelhante-ao-modelo-da-guerra-fria-47970781.html

Posted by: Elber | Feb 13 2026 14:42 utc | 112

Just to add in a bit on US GDP growth and national debt. The current US federal debt is $38.6 trillion and the average annual deficit for the past 8 fiscal years is $2.2 trillion. In fact, the US federal debt has doubled since 2015. Every once in a while we hear about the $38 trillion number, or that the government is running another budget deficit, but it isn’t put in any type of context. Let’s just do that.
When a government runs a deficit, it is pumping additional money into the economy. There is a national income equation used in economics where Y (national income) = C (Consumption) + I (Investment) + G (Government Spending) + X-M (Exports less Imports). The government spending amount has two components, one is taxes and fees and the other is deficit spending. A $2.2 trillion deficit in a $30 trillion economy works out to just over 7% of GDP. Imagine what would happen if that money wasn’t pumped into the economy? That would be equivalent to closing the Pentagon and cutting Social security payments by 90%. Imagine all that lost income for seniors and lost jobs for military personnel and people working in munitions? Or think of the alternative, where taxes would have to go up by $6000 per person, $24,000 for a family of 4, in the US – how could families survive? The debt/deficit is a huge problem that nobody in the US really talks about.
Another aspect of the debt is the propaganda factor. Every president in at least the last 25 years has bragged about how well the economy is doing. The main reason it is doing is because of deficit spending, but nobody talks about that. One aspect that has always perplexed me is that when the government runs a 7% deficit and the economy only grows by 2.5%, what happened to the difference?

Posted by: TimD | Feb 13 2026 14:46 utc | 113

UK throwing all caution to wind

London is accelerating the development of the Nightfall hypersonic missile for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Posted by: Michael J | Feb 13 2026 14:55 utc | 114

I guess at least they got a better deal than Gordon Brown got when he gave away the Gold of the UK.
Posted by: Tel | Feb 13 2026 7:34 utc | 93

England got the bad deal out of that. The bullion banks that were short gold up to their asses got to cover on multi year lows and Brown got to be the Prime Minister.

Posted by: arby | Feb 13 2026 15:06 utc | 115

I first arrived in Russia in 1994 after perestroika. It was clear that communism was an unwieldy tool for running a country. They listened to the USA but after 10 years twigged that the mission was to screw Russia up rather than help it. Once they threw all the western helpers out, they regained their sovereignty. 25 years after perestroika, the country has been transformed. Even in small out of the way towns it has improved. I remember my wife being so proud in 1996 when she bought a Moskvitch hatchback for $6,000 and I had to drive it when we were in Moscow. In the mid 2000’s we got fed up of resurrecting it every summer from hibernation in the dacha and sold it for $100. In 2005-2012 I used to take my RHD car to Moscow from London for the summer safe in the knowledge that it would NEVER get stolen in an LHD country. Russia keeps getting better every year. I hope to retire there some day.

Posted by: Kaiama | Feb 13 2026 15:14 utc | 116

Re: Poverty in the US
Is shockingly pervasive. Since we drive everywhere, we tend to be isolated in our SUVs from the homeless encanpments that are everywhere. We simply don’t notice.

Posted by: Exile | Feb 12 2026 18:27 utc | 9
If you work for a living, you fucking notice.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 13 2026 15:24 utc | 117

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 13 2026 14:01 utc | 110
This must be symptomatic of a dying empire and a very sick economy. The ship is sinking. Grab what you can while you can and save yourself. I don’t expect it to change until we fall into a serious depression.
<=an alternative explanation for the symptoms you describe might be that of an empire taken over by a criminal mafia hell bent on using the government, instead of hired help, as their hit man.. could be Al Capone would be envious?

Posted by: snake | Feb 13 2026 15:26 utc | 118

Posted by: snake | Feb 13 2026 15:26 utc | 119

#####

All Western governments have been mafia governments for some time.

That is the nature of liberal democracy/Republicanism.

Further de-colonization of minds is needed.

As always, the only government worth having is a revolutionary government. As soon as government operates as an institution or business, it loses its humanity.

It becomes callous and often inhuman.

It is not personal, just business. Capiche?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 13 2026 15:35 utc | 119

Its truly a measure of Imperialist propaganda that the Chinese can see the state of the American working class so much more clearly than Imperialist American media that pass by that reality every single day.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 13 2026 15:38 utc | 120

@ Exile 9; Ahenobarbus 118 –
The USA is largely devolving into a giant slumville. I am 63 and the general decline has been particularly noticeable over the last 25 years. Somewhat paradoxically, during this same time, there have developed “gentrified” pockets of Croesian opulence. NYC in particular is largely turning into the hellscape portrayed in the flick “Soylent Green”. Rural upstate NY is a depressing wasteland – it was never a wealthy area, but the manufacturing has been gone for decades. The shiny suburbs of my youth are decaying, but house prices are now 7X annual income, not 3X. I do not see how this all ends well.

Posted by: Adriatic Hillbilly | Feb 13 2026 15:39 utc | 121

Garbage in; garbage out.
Even if they think they are being reasonable an neutral, most of the typists in western media are all drawing from the same tainted pool of false facts and blinkered analysis. If Newton’s insights came from standing on the shoulders of giants, the modern western foreign affairs commentator stands in the mire of a public pissoir.

Posted by: Figleaf23 | Feb 13 2026 15:40 utc | 122

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 13 2026 15:43 utc | 123

when the government runs a 7% deficit and the economy only grows by 2.5%, what happened to the difference?

vigorish for The Epstein Class

Posted by: Exile | Feb 13 2026 16:07 utc | 124

Elber,

thanks for the link – the really REALLY want WW3.

Posted by: Exile | Feb 13 2026 16:11 utc | 125

That might be somewhat true about China but I know it’s mostly true now about the US. As critical resources dwindle, trade and certain economies will suffer.
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 12 2026 18:35 utc | 12.
And assume that this shortage affects far more areas than the general public is aware of.
Regarding F-35 production, it’s not just the radar that’s lacking… this deficiency also affects other weapon systems, and in the case of the F-35, it’s not just the radar… its stealth capability is currently only partially functional, and the engine performance is below 80%. While it’s being delivered, whether for PR reasons or to maintain appearances, these jets are NOT considered airworthy.
What’s currently lacking in the automotive industry is completely overshadowed by the existing problems… From gas in Europe to titanium in the USA, to rare earth products… the economy isn’t faltering for nothing, and not just because of energy!End

Posted by: Genesis | Feb 13 2026 16:17 utc | 126

Posted by: Genesis | Feb 13 2026 16:17 utc | 127

Uncomfortable Questions in Unstable Times | Frankly 125

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 13 2026 16:22 utc | 127

Posted by: Genesis | Feb 13 2026 16:17 utc | 127 Uncomfortable Questions in Unstable Times | Frankly 125
Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 13 2026 16:22 utc | 128
I don’t speak English…I’m almost 80 years old and worked for almost 19 years in Russian nuclear power plants, maintaining turbines. I know every single one.
And I know a great many Russians… from Crimea to Lake Baikal, from Moscow to Novosibirsk.
But thank you for the link to the video.

Posted by: Genesis | Feb 13 2026 16:30 utc | 128

Posted by: Genesis | Feb 13 2026 16:30 utc | 129

You’re quite welcome. I found it very interesting.

Posted by: Saint Jimmy | Feb 13 2026 16:34 utc | 129

Posted by: BlindSpot | Feb 13 2026 8:03 utc | 94 About two hundred fifty years ago, a moral philosopher named Adam Smith, after expressing his Theory of Moral Sentiments, inquired into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. He convincingly argued that it was not gold, despite all the worldly philosophers who had said so, and all the statesmen who had devised regulations for trade (and fought wars to seize gold too.) Adam Smith argued that the true nature of wealth was what we might call today a productive economy, with an advanced division utilizing physical capital accumulated in commerce. It was not in a government that sacrificed humanity on the cross of gold, so that the state could be wealthy. I am not going to rehash the history of the Bullionists/Mercantilists—much less the relationship to absolutism. Suffice it to say, despite the well-funded economics policy institutes, political groups advocating so-called free enterprise and sound government and all their other euphemisms, your fundamental approach is not original, is rather old and is very open to a great many objections. The basic perspective is perilously close to being the equivalent of a flat-earther.

Posted by: Sebgo | Feb 13 2026 4:18 utc | 84 No, those are among many of the current figures I have no grasp of, even intuitive, much less detailed. I am not sure that some people in Russia getting rich off gold is good for the Russian people as a whole. I’m not even sure it’s good for the Russian state. There are many countries in the world where possession of great wealth has funded a handful of compradors and paid for a state floating above the people, without the people and against the people.

Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 13 2026 17:42 utc | 130

that some people in Russia getting rich off gold is good for the Russian people as a whole. I’m not even sure it’s good for the Russian state. There are many countries in the world where possession of great wealth has funded a handful of compradors and paid for a state floating above the people, without the people and against the people.
Posted by: steven t johnson | Feb 13 2026 17:42 utc | 131

It is not the “getting rich off Gold for the State. It is the State’s reserves that have done well vs holding US treasuries as a reserve.
I assume anyone or any country that likes to preserve some wealth has to store it somehow. US treasuries can be a poor choice especially when the US can seize it at a whim and a few keystrokes.

Posted by: arby | Feb 13 2026 17:59 utc | 131

The Gordon ‘coming crash of China’ syndrome. Lol

Posted by: Hmck | Feb 13 2026 18:20 utc | 132

The Munich Agenda: The Suicide Pact for Ukraine
As the globalist elite prepare to gather in Germany, the agenda is already set to seal the fate of the continent. In this episode, we expose the strategy behind the Munich Security Conference and why it amounts to a pre-planned suicide pact for Ukraine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgmjp-hvmDE

Posted by: unimperator | Feb 13 2026 18:37 utc | 133

Western propaganda is always projection. I used to think of it as a rule of thumb but instead it has become a mathematical certainty.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Feb 12 2026 18:20 utc | 8

So what we say we’re not doing we attribute to the enemy? Seems cost effective. Two lies for the price of one.

Posted by: English Outsider | Feb 13 2026 18:51 utc | 134

The solution to private-controlled and issued money, is even more privately-controlled and issued money.
Yeah, sure.
I’d rather listen to an actual boob.
Doesn’t say as many silly things.

Posted by: Arganthonios | Feb 13 2026 19:01 utc | 135

… And two lies for the price of one is more environmentally friendly too!

Posted by: E | Feb 13 2026 19:17 utc | 136

I’d rather listen to an actual boob.Doesn’t say as many silly things.

Posted by: Arganthonios | Feb 13 2026 19:01 utc | 136

Actual boobs don’t talk, except perhaps in bad Philip Roth novels (pardon the pleonasm).

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 13 2026 19:18 utc | 137

136 you referring to x bank?

Posted by: E | Feb 13 2026 19:22 utc | 138

Posted by: arby | Feb 13 2026 17:59 utc | 132

#####

So many people, but particularly the crypto fanatics, do not understand counterparty risk.

Physical gold does not have counterparty risk. Fiat money (including crypto) is all counterparty risk.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 13 2026 19:23 utc | 139

I’m certainly no expert on Bitcoin but I don’t think there is such a thing as counter party risk. That is one of the features of Bitcoin.

Posted by: arby | Feb 13 2026 19:33 utc | 140

Correction: of ALL digital money networks, bitcoin has the least counter party risk

Posted by: E | Feb 13 2026 19:34 utc | 141

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 13 2026 15:38 utc | 121

######

Dude, shut up. You’re harshing my vibe. Weed is legal now and I already ordered Papa Johns.

Let’s watch that new series on Netflix and relive our college days… 😂😂😂

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 13 2026 15:43 utc | 124
Right. You’re not as astute as China. Got it.
Keep hating the slaves and siding the Imperialists, useful idiot. If you think that’s harsh, an American wage slave would give you a “critique” your old ass would never forget.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 13 2026 20:42 utc | 142

One aspect that has always perplexed me is that when the government runs a 7% deficit and the economy only grows by 2.5%, what happened to the difference?
Posted by: TimD | Feb 13 2026 14:46 utc | 114

*****************

The difference between 7% of the eggs, and 2.5% of the milk, that I produce and sell, makes a wonderful omelette!

Posted by: General Factotum | Feb 13 2026 22:02 utc | 143

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 13 2026 20:42 utc | 143
#####

Brother, it is all a joke. Everything, but in particular, I was being sarcastic.

Americans are sufficiently medicated and entertained not to notice anything. Every professional football game features a flyover of Imperial death machines, and people cheer, missing the performance’s obvious intimidation and arrogance.

Sure, the Chinese notice. Every human being in the world could spot the obvious that the people performing in the drama miss.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 13 2026 22:53 utc | 144

Lets not be too delusional, the EU with all military expenditures and loss are tax write-offs. While yes every country has issues, and Russia isn’t immune. Facts say they are foreign orchestrated, and systematically being picked apart.

Russian source. Please do your OWN research, all of b’s news outlets based this article on western propaganda. A yellow flag for basing analysis on a bad source we already ‘intelligible’ acknowledged. But when the Russian news states the economy in taters, we close our eyes and ears, pretend it isn’t happening like fools. Putin is still a politician after all.
________________________The large losses of the flagship LNG of the Russian Federation due to the impact of sanctionsRussia’s largest producer and exporter of LNG, Novatek, reported on Wednesday a drop in profits by 60% in 2025 compared to the same period the year before last. The profit owed to Novatek shareholders last year fell to 2.37 billion dollars (183 billion Russian rubles) compared to 6.38 billion dollars (493 billion rubles) in 2024.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Feb 14 2026 0:43 utc | 145

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Feb 14 2026 0:43 utc | 146
Well, they still made a profit.
How many of the US’ flagship AI companies can say the same?

Posted by: ChatNPC | Feb 14 2026 0:58 utc | 146

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Feb 14 2026 0:43 utc | 146

Well then what are the options.

!. Russia continues to try to defend itself against the US predation.

2. Russia surrenders and hands over all its stuff.

I know what I’d choose were I Russian, and it wouldn’t be surrender.

You?

Posted by: acementhead | Feb 14 2026 1:37 utc | 147

Lets not be too delusional, the EU with all military expenditures and loss are tax write-offs. While yes every country has issues, and Russia isn’t immune.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Feb 14 2026 0:43 utc | 146

#####

Losses are write-offs. That doesn’t make losing preferable unless you’re operating a hedge fund.

So many people don’t understand basic economics. Literally home economics.

Russia is not immune but Russia has resources and the means to extract them, with a massive customer base to buy them.

What does the West have? They were plundering Africa, but Russia and China are putting a stop to that.

The West doesn’t have supply chains, they don’t have resources, and it doesn’t have a highly educated population (literacy is falling).

Russia is ascendant. It’s on the winning side as the West goes bankrupt and its infrastructure all falls down.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 2:39 utc | 148

There’s an article over at ZH:
Dollar Detente? Kremlin Memo Explores Rejoining US-Led Financial System Dollar System

“The Kremlin apparently has a highly ambitious proposal for finally mending relations with the United States and wooing the Trump administration to its side regarding resolution to the Ukraine war.
It centers on Russia weighing a return to the dollar-based settlement system as part of a broader economic reset with the White House, according to an internal Kremlin memo reviewed by Bloomberg.
The high-level document drafted this year lays out seven sectors where Russian and US economic interests could converge in the aftermath of a Ukraine war settlement.
One central item is the call for pivoting back to fossil fuels over green energy, expanding joint ventures in natural gas and offshore oil, while partnering on critical minerals – with significant upside for American firms.
The partnership would include, per the Bloomberg report:

1. US and Russia working together on fossil fuels
2. Joint investments in natural gas
3. Offshore oil and critical raw material partnerships
4. Windfalls for US companies
5. Russia’s return to the USD settlement system

The memo was reportedly circulated among senior Russian officials and would mark a dramatic and sharp reversal from the Kremlin’s de-dollarization push, with obvious major implications for global financial flows.
It’s as yet unclear if the proposals have been formally presented to the US side – it seems unlikely at this stage – given Ukraine-focused talks have really gone nowhere of late.
All of the above seems a pipe dream if the basic issues at play stoking the Ukraine conflict can’t be resolved. Chief among them remains territorial concessions, Ukraine’s NATO and EU ambitions, and the fate of Russia’s frozen sovereign assets in Europe.
President Putin has repeatedly slammed the US for weaponizing the dollar as a tool to pressure other countries, through sanctions and other methods of economic isolation. But he also point out this ‘strategic mistake’ is backfiring while in reality slowly weakening the dollar and eroding global confidence.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov has yet to comment. In Moscow, is the discussion that BRICS de-dollarization us now a dead game?”

Posted by: freedom fritos | Feb 14 2026 5:35 utc | 149

Posted by: freedom fritos | Feb 14 2026 5:35 utc | 150

#####

The source of the ZH headline and “article” is something from ((Bloomberg)).

I have no idea why people read ZH. It is not a trusted source. It’s just another Imperial news channel.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 6:12 utc | 150

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 6:12 utc | 151

There indeed was a comment by Peskov about Russia trading in dollars with the USA companies – like, the local currency it is.
Dollar is a national currency
With other countries Russia trades in local currencies after all…

Posted by: Rutte | Feb 14 2026 6:21 utc | 151

The idea that Russia wants to return to the pre-SMO financial order is insane.

That’s how we know that the narrative originated in the West.

The Russian military would coup Putin if they thought he was seriously considering what is being suggested.

But then, that may be why such a story is being floated right now.

The SMO ends with NATO’s defeat, then the world will look very, very different.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 6:22 utc | 152

The Russian military would coup Putin if …
Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 6:22 utc | 153

Please… There is no possibility, none whatsoever, that there might be any power in Russia able to even stay close to Putin, to say nothing of even threatening something against him.

If you repeat the bullshit stated by some helmers or other dumb dudes, it just shows that you do not know anything about Russia really.

Posted by: Rutte | Feb 14 2026 6:30 utc | 153

Posted by: Rutte | Feb 14 2026 6:30 utc | 154

#####

I was making a rhetorical point that apparently was beyond you.

Taking one sentence in isolation does that. You may have been better served reading the context surrounding that sentence.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Feb 14 2026 7:01 utc | 154

Posted by: Rutte | Feb 14 2026 6:21 utc | 152

It’s all a matter of presentation.

Reducing any joint investment agreement between the US and Russia to the old Western dream of siding with Moscow against China, or portraying it as a “return to the system,” is misleading, and probably deliberately so, which is not surprising coming from a Western media outlet.

We should instead look at things logically. One of Russia’s demands for ending the conflict is the lifting of sanctions. This therefore includes exclusion from SWIFT and the use of the dollar..
However, no longer being excluded from SWIFT does not mean ever again being exclusively dependent on SWIFT.

Similarly, joint investments imply the use of the dollar, and therefore dollar transactions between the two countries. There is nothing scandalous about that.

What seems difficult for many commentators to accept is the idea that the US is not going to experience the bankruptcy they wish to see, partly thanks to Putin’s proposals.
This is understandable, but misses the point.

One of the reasons the hegemon is willing to do anything is that it is economically trapped. For example, some observers estimate its oil reserves, at the current rate of extraction, at about seven years. Europe is even in a worse situation.

A potentially ruined, indebted, and energy-deprived country, with a currency that may soon prove incapable of paying for imports, but which still possesses a powerful military and nuclear weapons, is very dangerous for the rest of the world, especially small, weak countries.

It therefore makes sense for Russia and China, if they want to avoid a world where a desperate America behaves like an armed plunderer, to give them a way out.
They can defend themselves, but not the entire world against plunderers.
And that way out is access to fossil fuel resources for the long term, but on normal terms, without unequal agreements or domination.

This is a matter of wisdom: choosing an option that avoids global bloodshed for all those who cannot defend themselves against the brute force of the declining West.
This will not prevent depression and the decline of the US, but it will offer them a viable alternative.

But of course, such an approach cannot be viewed favorably by those who want to see the total defeat and humiliation of the hegemon, without seeing the associated danger.

In summary, yes, it is entirely possible that, alongside a peace agreement in Ukraine, Russia could propose joint investment agreements to the US that would alleviate their precarious situation.

This would be neither a betrayal nor a scandal, but rather an attempt to avoid years of violence.

Posted by: Sebgo | Feb 14 2026 12:32 utc | 155

Russia’s public external debt as of February 1, 2026, amounted to $61.97 billion,
Posted by: Jo | Feb 13 2026 13:24 utc | 108

US public external debt as of February 1, 2026 amounted to $30.96 TRILLION
splinter in someones eye versus Beam in your own eye.

Posted by: MAKK | Feb 14 2026 15:06 utc | 156

MAKK I am quite aware of USA debt actually at 38.95 t and others debt o quotes are much much higher. I merely provided the information without comment or inference so people can compare.

$100+ Trillion (Total Liability): According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, including unfunded obligations for Social Security and Medicare for those alive today brings total federal indebtedness to $103.2 trillion.
$160+ Trillion (Total Fiscal Imbalance): When including unfunded obligations to future generations, some economists place the total fiscal imbalance at $162.7 trillion.
$62 Trillion in Unfunded Liabilities: Other analyses, including data from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), have suggested that adding long-term Medicare and Social Security shortfalls brings total obligations to nearly $62 trillion.

Posted by: Jo | Feb 14 2026 15:34 utc | 157

@rutte 152
Quote “There indeed was a comment by Peskov about Russia trading in dollars with the USA companies – like, the local currency it is.”
I have always said that england has two spied in kremlin -Pesko and foreign minister lavrov.
Putin should retire now -he is too naive and weak to run a great military like Russian army.
Since 2014 he has done tension of dozens of disastrous decisions. All to please anglosaxon enemies while betraying her trusted friends like in Syria, iran, libya, iraq ,venezuela etc

Posted by: Sam | Feb 14 2026 16:48 utc | 158

Sam the farmer–

Loves planting doubt.

Posted by: arby | Feb 14 2026 19:19 utc | 159

Sebgo | Feb 14 2026 12:32 utc | 156
*** In summary, yes, it is entirely possible that, alongside a peace agreement in Ukraine, Russia could propose joint investment agreements to the US that would alleviate their precarious situation. This would be neither a betrayal nor a scandal, but rather an attempt to avoid years of violence.***

No, if true it would be effective surrender and betrayal combined.
The very long-running efforts to split up and asset-strip Russia would continue, with Russia’s position having been fatally undermined.
“The West” tried when it was the USSR, and carried on when it was Russia.
But the efforts began even before the USSR came into being.
So, like trying “to avoid years of violence” by committing suicide?
Or rather, suiciding the public and country while the political misleaders, fatcats and Oligarchs bugger off (complete with massively enhanced offshore bank accounts) to California or the like?
What does having to try such a thing as “avoid years of violence” say about the purveyors of that violence?

Posted by: Cynic | Feb 14 2026 23:07 utc | 160

Posted by: Cynic | Feb 14 2026 23:07 utc | 161

Such an “outrage”… Very amusing.
Just remember a few well-known facts.

Since the beginning of the SMO, Russia has not expelled a single ambassador from any unfriendly countries.

It has continued to sell gas, oil, titanium, alumina and aluminum, copper, nickel, and other minerals to the West, including the United States.

It continues to provide them with uranium enrichment services and nuclear waste processing.
And for all of this, it still accepts some payments in euros and dollars.

This is happening now, and it has been going on for four years.
A election even took place meanwhile, and it doesn’t look like the russian voters are as outraged as you are, or “wanted Poutine to go” for that.

If this is suicide, one wonders how and why the country is not only still alive, but doing much better than those to whom it is supposed to have “surrendered.”

Posted by: Sebgo | Feb 14 2026 23:33 utc | 161

TimD@114

GDP is the total amount of money that exchange hands, including the same money exchanging hands multiple times (if I buy 1M of stock from Joe, Bill buys them from me, then Joe buys them from Bill again, the economy grew by 3M while nothing really happened in practice – the stock market is 2/3 of the US GDP IIRC).
Pumping 7% spending while growth is 2.5% means a 4.5% of already circulating money exchanged hands one-less times, the actual economy among the population shrunk.
This is likely linked to the shrinkage of the middle class, less entrepreneurship, the society clustering into billionaires who own everything and a wage workforce who buys everything from them, and reduction in economic activity outside of that.

Posted by: ArmChairGeneral | Feb 15 2026 9:47 utc | 162

Russia’s economy is collapsing? Compare with this news from Europe:”In the past four years, the number of closures in the European chemical industry has increased sixfold. Europe has lost 10 per cent of its chemical production capacity.In countries like Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and France, the situation is dramatic. This is an existential crisis, and the reasons have been mentioned here several times: overregulation, high energy prices and Chinese dumping. … We need to draw up a roadmap for European industry, because we are in an existential crisis.” Belgian PM Bart De Wever, vrt.be“Europe’s chemical industry faces unsurvivable conditions without urgent action warns” Sir Jim Ratcliffe. … He said the root cause is clear: “Energy prices in Europe remain around four times higher than in the United States. Rising carbon costs and weak trade defence are driving investment away. These conditions are unsurvivable for Europe’s chemical industry. Plants are not closing through lack of commitment; they are closing because the economics no longer work.” ineos.comThe first is the Belgian Prime Minister on state tv, the second is the company owner on the company web site. Even with those caveats, it should be clear: there is no future for European heavy industry.

Posted by: The Far Side | Feb 15 2026 10:12 utc | 163

Sebgo | Feb 14 2026 23:33 utc | 162
*** This is happening now, and it has been going on for four years.A election even took place meanwhile, and it doesn’t look like the russian voters are as outraged as you are, or “wanted Poutine to go” for that.***

There have been “elections” in the UK and USA etc.
Mass-media and big-money ensure most of the public don’t vote the undesired way.

The Soviet Union was terminated contrary to the result of a referendum on that matter.
Gorbachev ….. Yeltsin ….. Putin. Did their neoliberal appointee Putin object?

*** If this is suicide, one wonders how and why the country is not only still alive, but doing much better than those to whom it is supposed to have “surrendered.”***

By your own admission, Russia “has continued to sell gas, oil, titanium, alumina and aluminum, copper, nickel, and other minerals to the West, including the United States”.
Including materials essential to manufacture weapons systems with which to attack Russia.
Despite ever more intensive “sanctions” in the other direction.
In the 1990s, after the asset–stripping, there would be a choice. Rebuild the country, or continue to sift the national economic rubble.
But rubble-sifting would then have to be financed by the aggressors, and Russia based mafia Oligarchs would themselves fear being eaten by bigger Western sharks.
So0 fatten the goose again, with a view to later (re)capture by the financial and corporate institutions of the USA/”West”/City of London. Such as privatizations, takeovers and mergers.
The same allegedly “free trade” crap as was pimped since the end of WW2 by the transnational finance NGOs … an economic religion of falsehood which turned Britain and other European countries into largely foreign-owned bases for wealth-extraction. In return for ever-increasing (totally deliberate) wealth disparity in society, plus “austerity”.
Also imposed by the “EU” traitors in Brussels.

What a good idea, to mislead Russia — which does have such assets as to be self sufficient — into an ever closer asset-stripping relationship with the insatiably avaricious — and megalomanic — effectively one-party “West”.
Just as NATO (the US-regime’s empire enforcement arm) already did to its captives duped, forced or betrayed into a delusion that they are “members”.

Posted by: Cynic | Feb 15 2026 16:47 utc | 164

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