Lavrov's Huge Announcement Ahead of Trump-Putin Call; Reveals Why Istanbul Talks Failed (5-19-2025)

https://rad-patriot.com/7868/larry-johnson-another-look-at-root-causes-of-the-war-in-ukraine/
Larry Johnson ==> If you think that I am just offering up an unfounded opinion, think again. I encourage you to watch the following (above) interview with Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister. I believe this was recorded on Saturday, after the meeting in Istanbul of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Lavrov was not a part of that meeting, but he provides a detailed explanation of Russia’s policy position on the matter.

What about Russia’s economy? In 2024, Russia’s economy experienced notable growth, with official statistics reporting a 4.3% increase in GDP, up from 3.6% in 2023. This acceleration was primarily driven by heightened government spending related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly in sectors like construction and defense. Many so-called experts in the West, particularly in the US, continue to insist that Russia’s economy is on the verge of collapse. This is pretty funny considering that in 2024, the US economy experienced a real GDP growth of 2.8%, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This growth was driven by increases in consumer spending, investment, government expenditures, and exports.

Russia and the United States share a common characteristic that sets them apart from the vast majority of countries in the world, including China and India… both are blessed with an abundance of natural resources. In this regard, Russia holds an edge over the United States because it is largely self-sufficient, i.e., it can produce everything it needs internally in terms of food and energy without relying on imports. The United States, by contrast, is dependent on imports for significant portion of its economic growth. For example, the US lacks the processing facilities for rare-earth minerals that are critical components in the manufacture of key military and high-tech products. Russia does not.

Then there is the issue of government debt. As of 2024, Russia’s government debt is estimated to be between 14.5% and 20.3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), depending on the source and methodology used. The contrast with the US is staggering — as of the end of 2024, the United States’ national debt stood at approximately $35.5 trillion, marking an increase of $2.3 trillion from the previous fiscal year. This debt level represents about 124% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is the height of arrogance for US officials to claim Russia’s economy is struggling in the wake of recent news that Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating from its top-tier Aaa to Aa1, citing concerns over the escalating debt and persistent fiscal deficits. This downgrade follows similar actions by S&P in 2011 and Fitch in 2023.

To summarize, Donald Trump does not hold any trump cards he can play against Russia. Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, is in a solid position to continue defending Russia’s national security concerns. Under Putin, the Russian has grown from 7% in 1995 to an estimated 50% in 2024. In the United States, the percentage of people classified as middle class has shrunk. In 1995, approximately 56% of US adults lived in middle-class households. This was a period of economic expansion, with median household income increasing by 2.7% from $33,178 in 1994 to $34,076 in 1995. By 2024, the share of Americans in middle-class households had decreased to 51%, according to Pew Research Center. Based on what I personally witnessed in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Russian people are doing better than the Americans when it comes to the economy.

On the military side of the ledger, Russia has produced at least three operational hypersonic missiles that have been used effectively in combat operations. The US has zero. Russia’s army is at least twice the size of the US. Donald Trump is deluding himself and the American people with his repeated claim that the US has the best military in the world. Hell, we could not stop the Houthis, while Russia is methodically destroying a NATO proxy army in Ukraine. No brag, just facts.