Ex-MP names only way to cripple Russian economy
Kremlin ideologues appear to be conceding defeat, as Hanna Hopko says a full blockade would deliver a decisive blow to Russia’s already weakened economy.
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Hanna Hopko / © unian.ua
Among Kremlin thinkers, awareness of the failure of the so-called «special military operation» is growing. At the same time, an effective blockade of Russian oil exports—especially in the Baltic Sea—could strike a devastating blow to Moscow’s fragile economic base.
Hanna Hopko, Head of the board of the NGO National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS) and a former member of Ukraine’s parliament, said this on Espreso TV.
«Paralyzing the Russian economy and its ability to continue the war could be done by the Turks or Europeans, ” Hopko said.
According to her, a complete shutdown of trade—specifically a blockade in the Black Sea and, even more critically, in the Baltic Sea, where about 60% of Russia’s oil product exports are concentrated—would deliver a powerful strike. Such measures would compound an existing crisis, as Russia has already depleted the liquid portion of its National Welfare Fund and grapples with deepening economic woes.
The expert stresses that economic strikes against Russia must be coordinated from different directions but aimed at a single target to ensure total destruction of the Kremlin’s war plans. To illustrate the shifting sentiment in pro-Russian circles, she cited ideologue Alexander Dugin’s recent rhetoric.
«Dugin has now conceded that the so-called „Special Military Operation“ against Ukraine has turned into a war on Russian soil, and it should be called a war. Yet back in February, he was boasting about how they would annihilate Ukraine and forge a Eurasian empire,» Hopko noted.