- WIADOMOŚCI
Putin dives into oligarchs’ pockets
As the war in Ukraine drags on, the costs of maintaining the army continue to rise. Russian authorities are seeking new ways to finance the war effort.
On Thursday evening, a closed-door meeting took place during which President Vladimir Putin reportedly asked Russian oligarchs to contribute funds to the state budget, according to the news outletThe Bell. Russia plans to continue the war until it captures the remaining areas of the Donbas region in Ukraine.
One of the billionaires, Suleyman Kerimov, is said to have pledged 100 billion rubles (approximately 1.23 billion USD). Like many other oligarchs, he amassed his fortune after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Due to the prolonged war and Western sanctions, Russia is facing serious economic challenges. Budget revenues from the sale of energy resources have declined, while maintaining a wartime economy has reduced tax income from other sectors. In early March,Reuters reported that the Russian government was considering a potential 10 percent cut in all “non-sensitive” expenditures in this year’s budget. The final decision will depend on fluctuations in oil prices triggered by the war in the Middle East.
