Mikhail Dmitriev, the economist who predicted the largest protests of Vladimir Putin’s rule in 2011-2012, says in an interview that Russia may be entering a new era of revolt
- Provoked by the economic slump and the deepening conflict in Ukraine
- Discontent at tightening political controls at a time of worsening economic hardship may boil over by the next parliamentary elections at the end of 2016
- Said that while Putin’s approval rating is near a record level, serious unrest could be triggered even sooner if fighting increases significantly between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists, provoking fresh U.S. and European Union sanctions and a deeper economic crisis
- “A further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine can increase economic risks,” said Dmitriev. “We will fall further behind developed countries. This is a very dangerous scenario.”
