However, he also said that the Russian government will do everything possible to help Russian banks tide over the difficulties, and now Russian domestic banking business is operating normally. Some people say that Russia will collapse under western sanctions, but so far there is no sign of Russia's collapse. On the contrary, in some ways, Russia seems to have made a fortune. What happened?
Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has been subjected to numerous sanctions. From the world's top technology chips to cats and dogs kept by individuals at home, they are all listed as targets of sanctions by western countries. What is even more ridiculous is that even the Russian writer Dostoevsky has been included in the "sanctions" list, and even the oak tree planted by the long-dead Russian writer Turgenev has not escaped the "sanctions" in the West.
Many people wonder why the West has imposed sanctions on Russia so crazily this time, and why it has imposed sanctions on these trivial matters. Because in the past few years, Russia has been sanctioned by the West for more than 5,000 times. In other words, the west can't think of more "sanctions" now.
Moreover, just as the West is frantically "sanctioning" Russia, there is a detail worthy of attention. Although some Russian banks have been kicked out of the western SWIFT system, the virtual currency of Russian users has not been collected, Russian stocks have also been removed from the stock exchange and new york Stock Exchange, and Google and Apple payments are prohibited in Russia. But the most important thing is that Russia's financial system for foreign oil and gas transactions is not among the "sanctions".
Because of this war, international oil and natural gas prices have risen sharply. According to American WTI statistics, in April 2022, the electronic price of crude oil futures rose by 3.9 1 USD, or 3.69%, to 109.93 USD/barrel. London Brent crude oil futures for delivery in May 2022 rose 4.30 USD, or 3.93%, to 65,438 USD +0 13.63 USD/barrel. The price of natural gas in Europe has gone up even more crazily, with an astonishing 240% increase since the beginning of this year.
It can be said that the soaring oil and gas prices have greatly subsidized Russian finance that exports oil and gas to make money. Russia's military spending in this Russian-Ukrainian conflict can be earned back from this soaring oil and gas price, and there is even a balance. This is also the reason why Russia is determined to dare to turn against the West this time.
Putin has now seized the oil and gas resource card in Russia's hand, and went out with "Stud" when there is no card to play in the West. It not only dealt a heavy blow to the prestige of the west, but also solved the Ukrainian problem that has plagued Russia for many years. If Putin's strategy is successful, it will be a major decision that can change the world.
Moreover, it is not just oil and gas resources that are rising in price. As a traditional grain exporter, Russia holds a large amount of grain in its hands. Moreover, Ukraine is also an important producer in the world. People can not drive, but they can't live without food. Once Ukraine's production areas are controlled by Russia, Russia can make a lot of money just by selling grain.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, international food prices may soar further at the current level due to factors such as the reduction of production caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with an increase of up to 20%. About 50 countries and regions depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than 30% of their wheat supply. This is also one of the purposes for Putin to launch this war against Ukraine. It can be said that the western sanctions against Russia are just Mao Mao rain, and Russia's real trump card has not yet been played.