On July 14, President Donald Trump took a decisive step by pledging Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine, funded and supplied through NATO allies. He also issued a stern ultimatum to Moscow: agree to a peace deal within 50 days or face “very severe” 100% secondary tariffs on nations trading in Russian oil. The move reflects mounting frustration with stalled negotiations and marks a hardline pivot to economic and military pressure.
This announcement comes as new warnings emerge from Western analysts claiming that Russia’s economy is teetering on the brink of collapse. Allegations that the Kremlin is manipulating official data, combined with international sanctions, inflation, and underperforming debt, have raised serious concerns. While it's clear Russia is under pressure, some economists argue that signs of a full-blown implosion remain inconclusive.
How strong is Russia's economy? Is it really under as much surmounting pressure as some analysts claim? Click on to find out more.