“Isolation”, “consolidation” and “self-reliance” are different
terms used among Moscow´s political and business elite to
mean the same thing. In the face of international sanctions
occasioned by its support of the rebels in eastern Ukraine and its
[5] earlier annexation of Crimea, Russia is preparing to pull inward
and face a long period of diplomatic antagonism and economic
hardship. That process appears to be accelerating. On August
6th the Kremlin responded to Western pressure by announcing
that it will ban agricultural import from countries imposing
[10] sanctions on Russia.
By increasing his support of the rebels last month, Mr. Putin
has shown that he values his own understanding of Russia´s
historic destiny more than the economic well-being of his
country and its global reputation. He is making a risky bet that
[15] challenging the architecture of the post-cold-war order will reap
its own rewards and compensate for a drop in living standards.
Despite the crisis, such problems have not yet hurt Mr. Putin.
Indeed he is more popular than ever and his propaganda
apparatus is proving to be highly effective.
[20] Mr. Putin may be sending in Russian troops on the pretence
of a “humanitarian” operation. According to NATO, 20,000
Russian soldiers have amassed at the Ukrainian border. Even if
troops do not cross the border, the confrontation between
Russia and the West looks set to continue through the rule of
[25] President Vladimir Putin and, perhaps, beyond.
(from How to Lose Friends in THE ECONOMIST, August 9th 2014)
From paragraph 1, we infer that
