How the Kremlin pays billions of dollars for imaginary geopolitical greatness
Despite serious domestic problems, the Kremlin increases loans to “friendly countires”, imitating geopolitical greatness.
▪️ Over the past year, Russia has issued record-breaking loans to other states, totaling more than $30 billion—the highest since 1999. The largest recipient has been Lukashenko’s Belarus, which received $7.75 billion. Bangladesh, India, Egypt, and Vietnam are also among the top beneficiaries. At the same time, the Kremlin continues actively writing off debts it had previously issued.
Moscow’s “generosity” is driven solely by its desire to project itself as a “great power” and maintain influence over its neighbors and the Global South, despite the harm to its own citizens. Meanwhile, Russia faces serious economic problems, neglected regional infrastructure, and declining living standards due to the costs of the war and the Kremlin’s geopolitical ambitions.
