Quote Originally Posted by 14Russian View Post
Except, that you contradict yourself or is this a paradox? Economy is not important? So, with Russia's economy in the toilet, how will they prop up Novorossia? Is there some reason why Russia's economy will improve any time soon?
At some point, they will have to abandon financing Novorossia.
Economy is important but some projects can be delayed for a while because of Novorossia (in case it is regarded as of higher priority). Putin still can easily afford to spend 10-20 billion USD on Novorossia without too much compunction this year if he wishes.
Is there some reason why Russia's economy will improve any time soon?
It depends on many things. Oil prices is the major factor, as you probably now. As far as sanctions concern, any country can survive without foreign borrowing altogether and Russia is not an exception. Progress may be not so fast but still we can live through. Anyways, even Illarionov believes we may have industrial growth soon.))
– Меня изумляют такого рода разговоры и ожидания: дескать, Россия вот-вот рухнет, у нее нет экономики, только нефть и газ. Это глубокое заблуждение, совершенно неадекватное восприятие реального состояния дел. Мировые цены на нефть могут упасть и до 20 долларов за баррель, такое уже бывало, но у РФ сохраняются приличные золотовалютные резервы, российская экономика состоит не только из нефтянки и газодобычи. Более того, в последние три месяца в промышленности началось оживление, причем с каждым месяцем темпы его возрастают. В 2015 году в России может быть даже небольшой экономический рост.
Илларионов: Дефолт Украины практически неизбежен. Он наступит в конце января, максимум в феврале 2015 года / Гордон

They need 17 or 32 or....the figure is high. I think the increased funding of the military is incredibly insane. Whey they cannot even afford (normally) to fund essential services, they need every last cent to rebuild and strengthen the country, economically.
They will have to abandon Donbas in order to reduce military expenditures. Such a decision is the inevitable political suicide for the government, in so far as the majority of population is pretty bellicose . They are trapped.