Aravot: Citizens’ support of Putin may grow

The United States, Canada, Australia and Japan announced their decisions to expand sanctions against Russia. ‘Aravot’ paper’s editor Aram Abrahamyan writes that if Russia withstands these conditions and citizens’ lives don’t get worse considerably, the West will see the opposite effect and Russian citizens’ support of Putin will grow based on the formula “despite being beaten, we are becoming stronger”.

“Will sanctions serve their purpose if serious damage is done to the Russian economy? Why should the worsening of the economic situation force Putin to stop funding rebels fighting in Ukraine’s east? If the main goal consists in this, then the authors of the economic sanctions should realize they engage in hopeless activities. The EU visa ban for Russian officials and figures is not a serious step.

Russia cherished imperial illusions even in more difficult conditions and it is not going to abandon them now. It is another matter that the war and sanctions will last ten years and the West will find ways to push down oil prices,” Aram Abrahamyan wrote.