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The Rachman Review

The end of Prigozhin

Aug 24, 2023
Gideon and Sergei discuss the killing of Yevgeny Prigozhin, its impact on Russian stability and the war in Ukraine. Topics include Prigozhin's actions, the Russian economy, and the effectiveness of sanctions.
20:55

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Russian ruble's depreciation and economic difficulties highlight the effectiveness of sanctions, urging the West to tighten and enforce sanctions further.
  • Yevgeny Prigozhin's elimination demonstrates Putin's return to open repression and reliance on fear-based violence, solidifying his control and transforming his regime.

Deep dives

Key Point 1: Impact of sanctions on the Russian economy

The value of the Russian ruble has plummeted, losing half its value over the past year, signaling that sanctions are indeed taking a toll on the Russian economy. The weakened ruble reflects the impact of oil sanctions and trade sanctions. The decrease in oil revenues has strained the Russian budget, leading to a slower economy. Putin's need for dollars to pay for imports, circumventing sanctions through intermediaries, has further contributed to the ruble's weakening. The West should tighten and enforce sanctions, specifically targeting the import of sensitive technologies and oil, in order to exert greater pressure on Russia.

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