Russia is discussing ending the war to save the economy — Reuters
Russian businesses are increasingly citing an end to the war against Ukraine as a necessary condition for economic recovery.
This is reported by Reuters.
According to the agency, the Russian economy has slowed sharply amid sanctions, high interest rates, and Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refining and industrial infrastructure. After growing by 4.9% in 2024, growth rates fell to about 1%, and in the first quarter of 2026, the economy contracted by 0.2%.
Reuters sources among representatives of big business and the financial sector believe that the most effective way to return the economy to growth is to end the war. According to them, positive news regarding possible peace talks consistently triggers a rally on the Russian stock market.
At the same time, the Kremlin states that the negotiation process has effectively been suspended, and with it, potential investments and prospects for easing sanctions have also been frozen.
Oleg Vyugin, former deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, noted that the government lacks effective tools to restore economic growth amid high interest rates, tax hikes, and reduced investment.
In addition, Renat Suleimenov, a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, stated that the Russian economy cannot indefinitely sustain the costs of the war, since the production of military goods does not create consumer value for the population.
According to Reuters, without an easing of sanctions and an influx of foreign investment, the Russian economy risks remaining in a state of stagnation for a long time.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin made yet another cynical statement, claiming that the full-scale war in Ukraine is allegedly nearing its end.
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