The Russians are tired

Against the backdrop of falling incomes and total savings in Russia, the desire for change is growing. This shows a new study by the Institute of Sociology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Olga Solovjova from Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes in its analysis. In May 2017, the Institute of Sociology conducted a series of studies on the Russians' self-esteem and their adaptation to the crisis by questioning 4,000 people.

It turns out that there is an increasing demand for change in the country. Since the late 1990s, there has been a steady decline in the share of demand for significant changes (from 69% in 1999 to 28% in 2012), with a parallel increase in stability supporters (from 31 to 72%). Of the standard forces the Russians to adapt to the new economic conditions. First of all, it is saved from basic commodities. In the spring of 2017, people made savings on purchases of clothing and shoes (47%), tourism (44%), expensive goods with long-term use (39%), food (35%) and recreation (31%).

Two thirds of the Russians are currently talking about irreconcilable contradictions between the people and the authorities. At the same time, the desire for "stability in the country" gradually shifts away from the desire for change. Still, backers of reforms are still giving way to the number of "conservatives." US President Donald Trump has made it clear that US sanctions against Russia will remain in force until the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria are resolved, BTA said. AFP.

"Nothing will be done (on the issue - AFP) until the Ukrainian and Syrian problems are resolved," Trump wrote in Twiiter after returning from a four-day visit to Europe, during which he met for the first time with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He specified in the social network that he did not discuss Putin with the question of sanctions.

Several US congressional Republicans criticized Donadd Trump for not being firm enough to Putin on the alleged Russian intervention in last year's election. They demanded Washington to impose new sanctions against Russia.

Sanctions are a "hidden form" of protectionism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Before the German Handelsblatt, he explained that his country supports open trade, which is based on rules. This will stimulate global economic growth, Putin said.

The comments of the Russian president come just before the G20 meeting in Hamburg, CNBC wrote. Protectionism has become a widespread norm, Vladimir Putin said. "Unilaterally imposed and politically motivated sanctions against investment, trade, and especially in the exchange of technology are turning into its hidden form," he said.

According to him, sanctions violate the G20 principles of "Interaction in the interests of all countries around the world." Since 2014, Russia, the EU, the United States, Australia and a few other European countries have reciprocally imposed sanctions. On the West side, they are related to limiting the financing opportunities of Russian companies on capital markets, as well as a ban on the dissemination of technology, especially directed against energy giants in Russia.

The limitations are related to the unilateral annexation of the Crimea and the non-fulfillment of the Armistice Ministerial Arrangements in the troubled eastern districts of Ukraine.

In response, Moscow banned imports of food and agricultural products from all the states that are participating in the regime. Some days ago, the EU and Russia extended mutual sanctions by the end of 2018.