there is no “massive mobilization” among the Russians for this conflict, estimates a lecturer in geopolitics

What should we remember from Vladimir Putin’s annual press conference, which was held on Thursday, December 14? “What’s interesting is what he didn’t talk about. He didn’t really talk about the election. He didn’t talk about the demobilization that the entire population expects. (…) He didn’t talk about the election. “There were no small gifts that we usually distribute. He even specified that the Ministry of Finance had no money.”observes Aglaë Achechova, Russian fund manager at the University Library of Languages ​​and Civilizations, in 19/20 info. “He spoke of the successes of the economy by taking the figures which suit it, that is to say the drop in unemployment, but he does not speak of a deficit. (…) He did not mention a small statistical error in October when the trade balance was -30% compared to what was announced”she continues.

Russia “is almost at 8% inflation”

Just like Aglaë Achechova, Oleg Kobtzeff, lecturer in geopolitics at the American University of Paris, estimates in 19/20 info that the increase in GDP touted by the head of the Kremlin is “probably inflated by the military industry.” But he recalls that Russia “is almost at 8% inflation” and said to himself “certain that inflation will accelerate further.” The number of soldiers also raises questions. “Vladimir Putin shows us this as a large mass of soldiers, half a million men. We had clearly confirmed that there is a real lack, a hole that he does not talk about. He promised not to mobilize. He can go back on this promise”believes Oleg Kobtzeff, for whom the Russians do not have “a massive mobilization for this war as there could be for defense among the Ukrainians.”