Moscow, Russia – Official statistics released on Friday reveal that Russia’s economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 4.9% in the previous quarter.
This growth comes as President Vladimir Putin insists that the country’s substantial military spending is sustainable despite increasing inflation and Western sanctions.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has heavily militarized its economy. The significant military expenditure has helped drive economic growth, cushioning the blow of sanctions imposed by Western nations.
However, this has also led to rising inflation, reminiscent of the defense spending that contributed to the Soviet Union’s economic struggles in the 1980s.
The state statistics agency Rosstat reported that the inflation rate climbed to 7.8% in April, slightly up from 7.7% in March.
This increase is higher than analysts had predicted and is far from the government’s target of 4.0%. In response, the Central Bank has raised its key interest rate to 16% in an effort to curb inflation.
During a state visit to China, President Putin denied that the high level of military expenditure, which he acknowledged had surpassed 8% of GDP, was problematic.
“It is not critical yet. In the Soviet Union, from 1985 to 1986, defense spending was 13% of GDP,” Putin stated. He argued that considering the current state of the economy and fiscal forecasts, the combined defense and security spending of just over 8% is manageable.
Putin has characterized the substantial military budget as a “great resource” that should be utilized “carefully and effectively.”
He emphasized that experts believe there is still fiscal space to accommodate even higher military expenditures if necessary.
The reorientation of Russia’s energy exports towards China and India has been a critical factor in mitigating the impact of Western sanctions, which many analysts initially believed would plunge Russia into a deep recession.
China, in particular, has emerged as Russia’s most significant economic ally over the past two years. On Friday, Putin criticized U.S. efforts to pressure Beijing over its economic ties with Moscow, labeling American threats of sanctions on Chinese banks and companies dealing with Russia as “illegitimate.”
The U.S. has targeted companies in third countries, including China, that allegedly assist Russia in acquiring sanctioned goods for its military operations.
Despite these pressures, Putin noted that Russian and Chinese lenders are collaborating to resolve issues related to cross-border payments.
While military spending has bolstered Russia’s economic growth, it has also introduced challenges.
Inflation is rising, and sectors of the economy not supported by military spending, such as services and IT, are experiencing significant labor shortages. Many young men have been conscripted, have fled the country, or have been recruited by the expanding weapons industry.
In the meantime, Russian forces have launched a significant new offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.
Putin has indicated that Russia’s strategy for victory involves outspending Ukraine and its Western allies on the battlefield.
As Russia continues to navigate the complexities of wartime economics, the balance between sustaining military expenditure and managing domestic economic stability remains delicate.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether the current trajectory can be maintained without further exacerbating inflation and other economic pressures.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our staff editorial members