'..by the year 2015 .. Russia .. changes in population structure.''..Thus, the short-term provides a demographic “window of opportunity” to the Russian economy for approximately 10-12 years.
By the end of the first decade of the next century, this window will be closed. Due to the long-term trends of retirement-age subpopulation growth and the decline of the youth subpopulation, the balance between entering and exiting cohorts will become negative by the year 2015. The negative impact of these trends is exacerbated when they occur simultaneously with poor economic performance, high unemployment, inflation, and stagnant productivity growth. Thus, Russia's economic growth is a crucial linchpin in averting major adverse consequences created by changes in population structure.'
- RAND,
Russia's Demographic “Crisis” (1996), p 186 & 187
'..Western leaders truly interested in curbing Russia's potential for future aggression should take notice, and press their political advantage.''Russia's economy, in other words, is increasingly running on empty. Whether this translates into significant, sustained opposition to Mr. Putin's regime from the Russian "street" remains to be seen. But one thing is already clear: The Kremlin's claim to renewed global greatness is being undermined by less-than-savory economic realities at home. Western leaders truly interested in curbing Russia's potential for future aggression should take notice, and press their political advantage.'
- Ilan Berman and Amanda Azinheira,
Russia's Road To Economic Ruin, November 2, 2016
'..Russia close to third-world countries..''According to the Higher School of Economics, a Moscow-based university, the overall squeeze would bring spending on health and education to its lowest levels as a percentage of GDP since 2006. “Such degradation brings Russia close to third-world countries,” wrote Vedomosti, the economic daily.
By contrast, the country’s defence spending remains high by international standards, accounting for 23.7 per cent of total federal budget expenditure and 4.7 per cent of GDP this year.'
- Kathrin Hille,
Russia prepares for deep budget cuts that may even hit defence, October 30, 2016
ContextAmanda Azinheira'..the worry that “Russia is becoming the new South Africa,” referring to the 30-year era of boycotts and sanctions..''..the import substitution industrialisation (ISI) strategy .. Russia..''..Ukraine, she says, "is looking toward the future." ..'