Putin addresses ''Everything for Victory'' conference as ware causes labor shortages

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 04 Feb 2024 by Alex Teddy
On February 3 Putin spoke at the conference, which revived a World War II slogan as its title. The Russian president said that Russia must produce everything it needs or national sovereignty will be jeopardized. He returned to his favorite themes of national defense. He warned that if Russia is not self-reliant it will weaken. Western sanctions have failed, he bragged. Russia has created over 500,000 jobs in defense industries since 2022 he claimed. He claimed the Defense Ministry pays manufacturers 80% of the cost of items in advance.  Putin said Western trade partners are untrustworthy and are always trying to enfeeble Russia. He highlighted dishonest Western rhetoric about friendliness. Putin bragged that Russia's economy has proved to be far tougher than Western ones despite the challenges of the past few years. Putin spoke about Russian success in high tech, welfare, defense and finance. He noted that Russia was building more housing than ever before. This last claim is surprising considering Russia's population is falling and is due to fall dramatically over the next 50 years even by the most optimistic projection.  The World Bank says that on the basis of GDP purchasing power Russia is just ahead of Germany. The 70% increase in defense spending in 2024 means that defense will consume 33% of the budget. On January 31 the Defense Minister publicly criticized a factory for being too slow at making artillery. Some factories are working 24 hours a day to fulfill orders.  The war has distorted the labor market. Non-defense sectors of the economy complain about the severe shortage of skilled workers. This is because over 800,000 have been mobilized since 2022 and other...

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