The West’s Plan to Undermine the Ruble

“By targeting Russia’s central bank with sanctions, experts said, American and European leaders have taken aim at what could be one of President Vladimir Putin’s greatest weaknesses: the country’s currency,” the New York Times reports.

“In Russian cities, anxious customers started lining up on Sunday in front of ATM’s, hoping to withdraw the money they had deposited in banks, fearful it would run out. The panic spread on Monday.”

“In Russia today, as the purchasing power of the ruble drops sharply, consumers who hold it are finding that they can buy less with their money. In real terms, they become poorer. Such economic instability could stoke popular unhappiness and even unrest.”