Rosja w kryzysie
RUSSIA IN CRISIS

Summary/Abstract: In 2015, the most important factor influencing Russia’s internal and foreignpolicies was the economic crisis. The serious financial-economic turbulence causedby the record slump in oil prices revealed the shaky foundations of the ‘Putin system’in Russia. And while the Kremlin realized the problems would not disappear soon,there were few ideas how to overcome them. Any systemic reforms were out ofthe question as they would create the risk of undermining Kremlin’s control over the economy and the state, and subsequently could lead to a loss of power by thecurrent ruling group. What was left were short-term corrections and cuts combinedwith a hope to survive until at least partial rebalancing of oil prices. A fear of socialdiscontent led to tightening the screw in internal policy, growing repressions againstexisting and imaginary political opposition, and making disciplinary moves towardsthe broader ruling elite. In foreign policy Russia, on the one hand, overhauled itstactics in Ukraine through de-escalation and attempts to normalize its relations withthe West, hoping for relaxation of Western sanctions. On the other hand, Russia –mainly through its unexpected military engagement in Syria – tried to use the West’s(especially Europe’s) focus on growing terror threat and the migration crisis to secureMoscow’s return to the international stage as a key player.

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