Falling oil prices hit Russia much harder than Western sanctions

President Vladimir Putin, who took office in the wake of his nation’s 1998 financial crisis, has made economic stability a cornerstone of his nearly 15 years as leader. (AP)

By Michael Birnbaum December 2 at 6:51 PM
MOSCOW — Plummeting oil prices are doing to the Kremlin what sanctions could not: forcing a grim rethinking of Russia’s economic future.
Falling Oil Prices Hit Russia Much Harder Than Western Sanctions by Thavam Ratna