Thread by @anders_aslund

Let us check what Putin really said at the annual VTB show:
"I would like to note that the economy is gradually recovering nonetheless. However, the rates of this recovery are in question and everyone knows why ..." Yes, your bad economic policy.
en.kremlin.ru/events/preside…

"I would like to ask the Government – I address my colleagues in the Government of the Russian Federation – to prepare within a week an updated plan of action to counter the risks of the spread of the new coronavirus strain."
A typical Putin Stalinist measure.

Putin: "a distinctive feature of the current situation is the high inflationary pressure" blaming "the extremely soft budgetary policy in most developed countries"
What about the Russian oil and gas squeeze? Why talk about the truth?

"First, our long-term priority is the growth of the share of infrastructure investment in the GDP."
So why have you, Putin, minimized Russian investments for the last two decades?

Putin: "Second, we support investment aimed at making positive social and environmental changes in our country, which meets the sustainable development goals that Russia plans to achieve."
Why lie so blatantly? You have no shame?

Putin: "Third. Digital transformation, the introduction of new technologies in all spheres should give a boost to the development of the national economy, should increase labour productivity and people’s incomes." Everybody says so, but Russia does the least.

Putin: "Fourth. The banking sector and the stock market play an important role in the recovery of the Russian economy and in putting it on a long-term growth trajectory." They are all shrinking because of the Putin anti-capitalist policy.
Why lie so blatantly. VVP?

The obvious conclusion is:
Why would anybody be so stupid as to invest in Russian equities?
There is one rational answer:
The yields are so high because of price per earnings being so low. Why not take the money and run?
Few take Russian shareholding seriously any longer.