Zelenskyy compares Russian economy to sinking Titanic

During a meeting with journalists, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has compared Russia’s economy to the Titanic, predicting a slow but inevitable decline, Liga reported on 22 October. The President addressed questions about Russia’s military and economic status.

Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, aiming to reduce Moscow’s ability to fund its war effort.

Zelenskyy said:

“Regarding the state of the Russian army, I wouldn’t say they’ve run out of people. However, there’s definitely growing reluctance to mobilize their own people, and they’re looking for ways to mobilize North Korean military… It’s simply a fact that they’re preparing this or that contingent.” 

The president believes these developments indicate the war’s growing impact on Russian society, predicting an increase in anti-war sentiment among Russians, according to Liga.

Discussing economic sanctions, Zelenskyy acknowledged Britain’s recent important sanctions, referring to London’s implementation of “the largest sanctions against Putin’s shadow fleet” on 17 October. However, he criticized the incomplete implementation of European sanctions, suggesting this has cost Ukraine at least a year of potential impact.

“Russia should have been in the state next year already a year ago. It’s like the Titanic – Russia. Their economy will begin to sink, but it will do so slowly. It’s very important for us that after this war ends, they won’t be able to recover in a month. And that sick thoughts don’t appear, even years later,” Zelenskyy said, as reported by Liga.

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