Those who are watching HTB Russian channel definitely would have seen “Gazprom” advertising. The idea is as follows: We take the first place in the world in gas exploration stocks, we, the Russians. This statement is certainly true. But on hearing this advertising, a question always occurs to my mind of what mental, physical or organizational efforts you applied to achieve these indicator to be so proud of. If it were saying that we have discovered Windows, Skype, Smartphone, we manufacture the best convenient and safest cars in the world, or up-to-date lathe, it would be quite appropriate, it is truly to be proud of. Or, we are in the first place in our huge reserves of oil and gas in per capita income, or in the first place in low level of corruption, it would also have been a great indicator. But, when the nature gifted you a certain quantity of minerals, and your economy is totally dependent on world oil prices, what is your personal achievement here? And if tomorrow the oil price will fall dramatically, what would happen?
Today, the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Alexei Ulyukayev says that he is leading a sphere (economic development), which does not exist and never will be in the coming years. Economists estimated that excluding oil and gas, the Russian economy is equal to Turkey in its “size”. Oh, I forgot. Weapons is a separate subject to be proud of, where Russia is really in leading positions in its production. But, weapons does not seem to be a particularly good thing: in this world, it is so far not possible to ensure security without weapons. However, nothing is created by weapons, but only death and destruction. By historic fate, our country is dependent on Russia. In the last 20 years, we have had real chances to minimize these effects, of course, without drastic action and adventure. Instead, we strengthened this influence; it is beneficial to our authorities and oligarchy.
Due to this policy, they want to shove us into a system that will not be efficient economically and politically, by itself, it is flimsy and unprospective. But, instead, it meets the ambitions of the people in the Kremlin. Of course, everything is temporary. In 1956 and 1968, the Soviet Union, with well-known methods, included Hungary and Czechoslovakia, respectively, into then “Customs Union”, which was called the Eastern Bloc, Economic Mutual Aid Council, the Warsaw Pact. However, these two, as well as other countries, did not remain under the yoke forever, did they? Well, now, let’s compare the power of the then Soviet Union and today’s Russia. Let’s also compare the 20th century post-war world with today’s world.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
