
Some see Moscow’s move in this direction as a voluntary selection of a tactic, he suggests, rather than the result of the limitations Moscow is increasingly operating under. For such operations, one doesn't need large amounts of money; and the Russian authorities can continue them for some time. But when it comes to bigger ticket items like building fortifications or launching a new round of military action, Putin is limited – unless he can break out of the bind he is in because of limits on Russia’s access to credit markets. That is why he wants a deal to end sanctions now; it is also why no one should give him one unless the Kremlin dictator pays a very high price.According to the Russian writer, “many consider that 2017 is the last year when Russia can spend means with the abandon it showed earlier.” It doesn't have the money to finance large military operations in Ukraine; and consequently, he continues, it has already shifted to the less expensive means of provocation.
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