Economy, 02 March 2018

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Is Russia Capable of Becoming 1.5 times More Prosperous in 7 years?

Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation

Russia must firmly assert itself among the five largest global economies, and its per-capita GDP must increase by 50 percent by the middle of the next decade. This is a very difficult task. I am confident that we are ready to accomplish it.

Source: President of Russia's Address to Federal Assembly

Misleading

If we consider the purchasing power parity (PPP), Russia would have to reach the level [of economic development] of today’s Japan or France.

In the global rating of all countries whose economies are analyzed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Russia, with a GDP of $10.3 thousands per capita, scores at the bottom of seventh tenner by the purchasing power parity.

Ex-Finance Minister: Russian Share of Global Economy Shrinking

Alexey Kudrin, ex-Minister of Finance of Russia, Director of the Civil Initiatives Committee

“Prior to the sanctions, Russian economy was showing low growth. The median growth in 10 years (since 2007) was 1%. We are shrinking our role as a global economy.”

Source: Federal Press

True

In four recent years, Russia’s role as a global economy has shrunk to the early 2000 levels

While Russia's place among the world's big economies varies, depending on exchange rates and price comparisons for goods, the IMF finds the nation's total contribution to the global economy is falling.

Sputnik Ignores Bad Data, Puts a Positive Spin on Russian Economy

Sputnik

Russian broadcaster

“Russia became the world's second most powerful country and ranked eighth among states with up-and-coming economies, the 2018 Best Countries report by the U.S. News & World Report magazine showed on Tuesday.”

Source: Sputnik, January 24, 2018

Misleading

Sputnik ignores bad data pointing to the Russian economy’s underperformance.

While it lists Russia as a promising economy, the cited report uses a perception ranking based on a narrowly defined survey sample and narrow definition of economic performance. And, among 80 countries, it assesses Russia’s economy as performing better than most, but at the same time worse than many in the area of “entrepreneurship” and the worst among all of them when it comes to “open business.

Fake Photo of a Soviet Supermarket Is Actually an American Supermarket

Unknown

A photo depicts a mother and child in what is alleged to be a fully-stocked Soviet supermarket.

Source: Social Media

False

The photo was a forgery

Can you spot what’s wrong with this photo of a “Soviet supermarket?”

RT: U.S. LNG Reduces Europe’s Energy Security

Ivan Karyakin

Investment analyst

“Brussels surely understands that replacing the Russian pipeline gas with American LNG does not increase, but reduces the energy security of the EU.”

Source: RT, December 16, 2017

False

Increasing the number of potential energy suppliers will enhance the EU’s energy security

American supplies of liquefied natural gas challenge Russia’s domination of Europe’s energy market, reduces European dependence on Russian supplies and expands the EU’s energy options, promoting fair competition and potentially leading to lower prices.

Russian Foreign Ministry Compares Riots in Iran to Ferguson and Occupy Wall Street

Maria Zakharova

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman

There is no doubt that the U.S. delegation has something to tell the world. For example, Nikki Haley can share the American experience of dispersal of protest actions, tell in detail how, for example, mass arrests and suppression of the Occupy Wall Street movement were carried out or Ferguson was "cleansed.”

Source: Facebook

Partially True

Overall, the comparison is not valid

While the responses to Occupy Wall Street and Ferguson merit legitimate concern, they are not comparable to the protests in Iran.

Head of Crimea Says Peninsula Had No Foreign Investors Prior to Russia’s Annexation

Sergei Aksyonov

prime minister of Crimea

“Crimea did not have any foreign investors when it was part of Ukraine, in connection with the exceptional corruption of the Ukrainian government; you could count them [foreign investors] on your fingers.”

Source: RIA Novosti, November 8, 2017

Misleading

The claim is largely incorrect.

Corruption in Ukraine indeed impeded foreign direct investment in Crimea prior to Russia’s annexation, but the peninsula did have foreign investors. Still, Russia’s annexation, continued corruption, and the sanctions imposed on Moscow for its actions in Crimea have undercut foreign investment.

Are U.S. Allies Turning Away from Washington and Embracing Moscow?

Yuri Podoliaka

Contributor to Voyennoye Obozreniye

“Today, Washington is losing allies even faster than the USSR did during its period of decline. Old and experienced [U.S.] partners are turning in the direction of Russia and China, and many are simply waiting for the right moment to escape the sinking ship of American ‘democracy’."

Source: Voyennoye Obozreniye, September 20, 2017

False

The author's claim is totally misleading.

The U.S. continues to retain and support its allies while enjoying their backing and cultivating new partners, including those that have or are turning away from Russia.

Pushkov: Eastern Ukraine 'a Zone of Peace and Tranquility'

Alexey Pushkov

Chairman of the Commission on Information Policy in Russia’s Federation Council

“There is no basis for the deployment of peacekeepers on the border between the DNR/LNR and Russia. It is a zone of peace and tranquility. So let them deal with the zone of tension.”

Source: Twitter, September 13, 2017

False

Eastern Ukraine remains a war zone

The Russian authorities’ insistence that the mandate of UN peacekeepers in Ukraine should be limited to the area along the “borders” between Ukraine and the conflict zone in the eastern part of the country is based on their claim that the region is a “zone of peace and tranquility.” That claim is neither true nor logical. Eastern Ukraine remains a war zone and the only internationally recognized borders are those between Ukraine and Russia.

Kislyak: U.S. to Blame for Deteriorating Relations with Russia

Sergey Kislyak

Former Russian Ambassador to the U.S.

“I have worked for years in the American (relations) field, and I can responsibly say that we did everything, simply everything, to maintain normal cooperation.”

Source: Izvestia, September 7, 2017

False

Russia’s own actions undermined bilateral relations

Russia’s own actions endangering global security caused the deterioration of relations with the United States as well as with other countries. The conditions for lifting sanctions and returning to “normal” cooperation have been clearly presented to Russia but Moscow ignores its obligation to help maintain global security.

Russian Legislator Calls U.S.-Imposed Sanctions ‘Illegal’

Andrey Klimov

Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Federation Council

“These sanctions are illegal in themselves, because the only thing recognized by international law is the sanctions of the UN Security Council.”

Source: RT, August 23, 2017

False

Unilateral sanctions legal under Article XXI of GATT

Despite Russia’s claims that U.S.-imposed sanctions are illegal under international law, the U.S. strictly follows its own legal procedures and international regulations under the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)