The exiled journalist believes that a “Ukrainian model” is possible in Russia

American journalist David Sutter, expelled from Russia in 2013, admits the possibility of political unrest in Russia according to the "Ukrainian model", which, in his opinion, could occur as a result of Western economic sanctions, falling oil prices and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In this regard, he calls on the West to "contain Russia as much as possible."

Sutter, who now works at the Hudson Institute in Washington and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, published an article in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday in which he noted that Vladimir Putin needs sanctions to be lifted - but not because they are inherently disruptive. impact, but because "in combination with the growing economic crisis and the unpredictable trajectory of the war, they can lead to the destabilization of Russia."

“In such circumstances, there is a serious danger of social tension,” says Sutter.

He writes that in modern Russia 110 people, including Putin's cronies, control 35 percent of the country's wealth, while half of the adult population is worth less than $ 871 per household. In 2014, the author points out, food prices rose by 15,4 percent.

“If the economic situation in Russia continues to deteriorate, many Russians may come to believe that the Ukrainian model of a peaceful and spontaneous uprising against a corrupt regime may work for them,” Sutter writes. “First of all, precisely because Ukraine can become a powerful example for Russia, Putin started the war in Ukraine.”

According to the author, "the power pyramid in Russia is very unstable." Capital flight reached a whopping $ 63,7 billion in the first quarter of 2014, he points out, citing data from the US Department of State. At the same time, Sutter writes, "thousands of Russian officials have devised plans to flee to the West with their money."

According to the author, the Kremlin can move to a more aggressive and open intervention in Ukraine in order to avoid a protracted war.

“But Putin and his cronies will not take aggressive action if they fear that it will result in them losing the power they hold on to,” Sutter concludes. “That’s why right now the West must move to maximum containment,” writes Voice of America.