Richard Connolly, a Senior Analyst for Oxford Analytica and author of 'The Russian Economy,' dives into the complexities of Russia's economic landscape amid ongoing conflict. He discusses the Kremlin's mixed feelings about U.S. politics and its implications for sanctions. Highlighting the ruble's status and the surprising resilience of the Russian economy despite war challenges, Connolly examines how heightened defense spending contrasts starkly with the struggles faced by lower-income Russians. The episode reveals an economy that, while troubled, may not be as dire as commonly believed.