The ruling class isn’t homogeneous though. You have people who built their wealth on the relationship with Europe, but now a lot of the ties are largely cut. And trade with the Global South is now replacing it. So, you have a new group of capitalists who are not interested in Europe in the slightest, and even see resumption of trade with Europe as a threat to the niches they occupy. I don’t think the actions Russia is currently taking suggest that she represents the capitalists who are in the ascendant right now.
I don’t know if you’ve been living in a cave for the past 4 years, but relations between Russia and Europe aren’t what they used to be. Also, are you suggesting that rich people in Russia can’t live well without needing Europe?
I’ve been a Russian living in Europe and I follow the news closely both from European and Russian independent media. The cash flow is complicated, but it exists, and Russian oligarchs/politicians still own property and support their families in Europe, even if they are suctioned themselves.
Also, it’s not a reason for Putin not to attack anyone if thar would feed his ego and help to keep his position.
It’s pretty clear that the economic gravity in Russia has shifted towards the Global South at this point. So, in terms of political influence, Europe is largely irrelevant now because over the past four years there plenty of new businesses filling the niches left by decoupling from the west. It’s in their interest to ensure western competition doesn’t come back. And today they have far more influence in politics than a handful of people who still have any financial ties to Europe.
Which Russian government officials have any investments in Europe at this point?
Yelena Mizulina comes to mind
Do you see her as a major driving force in Russian politics that would decide whether there would be strikes on Europe though?
I see her as a major talking head and thus an indicator for ruling class’ opinions
The ruling class isn’t homogeneous though. You have people who built their wealth on the relationship with Europe, but now a lot of the ties are largely cut. And trade with the Global South is now replacing it. So, you have a new group of capitalists who are not interested in Europe in the slightest, and even see resumption of trade with Europe as a threat to the niches they occupy. I don’t think the actions Russia is currently taking suggest that she represents the capitalists who are in the ascendant right now.
You’d be surprised. Putin’s children are raised in Switzerland, and I bet their life is not funded by a hardworking mother.
I don’t know if you’ve been living in a cave for the past 4 years, but relations between Russia and Europe aren’t what they used to be. Also, are you suggesting that rich people in Russia can’t live well without needing Europe?
I’ve been a Russian living in Europe and I follow the news closely both from European and Russian independent media. The cash flow is complicated, but it exists, and Russian oligarchs/politicians still own property and support their families in Europe, even if they are suctioned themselves. Also, it’s not a reason for Putin not to attack anyone if thar would feed his ego and help to keep his position.
It’s pretty clear that the economic gravity in Russia has shifted towards the Global South at this point. So, in terms of political influence, Europe is largely irrelevant now because over the past four years there plenty of new businesses filling the niches left by decoupling from the west. It’s in their interest to ensure western competition doesn’t come back. And today they have far more influence in politics than a handful of people who still have any financial ties to Europe.