Putin mocked Biden’s harsh measures. Now the smile hardens.

MOSCOW (Aftenposten): Economic problems hang over Putin. Could it force him to stop the war against Ukraine?

Historically tough economic measures were taken when Russia entered Ukraine. The ruble has plummeted. Russians ran in panic to banks to withdraw their savings. It could collapse. In mid-March, Vladimir Putin gave a speech in which he was so angry that he lashed out.

A few weeks later, the ruble was stronger than before the war. The queues in front of the banks were gone. Record oil prices have had Russia cashing in. There was no financial crisis. Putin has repeatedly laughed at Biden and Western sanctions.

Now Putin is no longer laughing. The problems get bigger and bigger. What consequences could this have for the war?

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