Janis Kluge
jakluge.de
Janis Kluge
@jakluge.de
Russia & Economics
All views private
German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP Berlin)
Picture: Tamek Kowalski
"Kritiker" waren hier Putin und die russische Propaganda. Seit neuestem auch Trump, der auf die russische Propaganda reinfällt und jetzt Druck auf Selenskyj ausübt. Selenskyj ist ohne jegliche Zweifel der legitime Präsident der Ukraine, und das muss auch so dargestellt werden.
December 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Usually, 18% of Russian budget spending happens in December. This year, only 13% is left - if Russia wants to stay within its budget plan. Most likely, the plan will change. Historical patterns indicate total spending of 45 trillion rubles and a deficit of 8 trillion rubles (3.6% of GDP).
December 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If Ukraine actually gave up Donbas (which is simply not feasible and almost certainly won't happen), this would go down on history as one of the biggest mistakes ever made. It would not lead to peace, Russia would keep attacking, just from a much better starting position.
December 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Some in Europe are hoping for a "dirty peace" in Ukraine. In my view, that is wishful thinking. It is based on the assumption that we can go back to pre-2022 in Europe. But we can't. The war will only stop when resistance against Russia is strong enough. It will be a long way...
December 8, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Putin does not have a clear vision for the "end state" of the war in Ukraine. He is happy with the way things are going, but there is no clearly defined goal. To Putin, the war is more like shaking a tree and enjoying the fruit that falls.
December 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
PS: Strictly speaking, based on historical averages, the expected deficit is 3.8% of GDP.
December 3, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Russian federal budget execution at the end of November 2025 continues to suggest an additional unplanned overrun of 1% of GDP this year and a deficit closer to 3.5% of GDP than the expected 2.6% of GDP.
December 3, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Russian oil and gas revenues slightly fell in November (the effects of US sanctions will only show in the coming months).
December 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Russia published its budget report for Q3 of 2025. Military spending is not slowing down. In Q3, it was 38% higher than last year (3.6 trillion rubles in Q3, 11.9 trillion rubles so far for the year). Good news: Federal recruitment data is back!
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Several Russian regions increasing their sign-on bonuses this week:

Krasnoyarsk: 1.7 --> 3.1 million
3.1 million is a new all time high 📈
Ryazan: 1.0 --> 2.0 million
Oryol: 0.4 --> 0.9 million

Federal/municipal/company bonuses not included.
November 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Here's another way to illustrate why Russia's budget plan for 2025 is unrealistic:

To stay within the spending plan, Russia would have to fit the light and dark blue parts (November and December) into the red box (the remaining budget this year).

Read more: janiskluge.substack.com/p/russias-un...
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Russia's latest budget figures (January–October) are out, and it's becoming increasingly clear that the budget deficit will be higher than expected. After 10 months, 80% of the budget has already been spent — compared to the normal rate of 74%.
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
According to regional budget data, Russia continues to recruit approximately 30,000 men per month. This may explain why Russia is willing to lose thousands of soldiers each month in its assault on Ukraine, essentially treating its soldiers as "living munitions."
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Russian oil and gas revenues in October 2025 were 888.6 billion rubles ($10.9 billion), or 27% below October 2024.
November 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Russia's budget deficit will be even larger this year and could reach 3.5% of GDP. The recent budget correction assumes 42.8 trillion RUB expenditure, but Q4 would have to be historically frugal to achieve that target. After Q3, already 72% of the plan was spent. 66% is normal.
November 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I don't understand why Bluesky still won't allow me to create my own private feeds or lists. It just doesn't make sense, and is maybe the most important weakness that keeps me from coming here more often. I don't want to have economics, Ukraine frontline and US politics in the same feed. It's chaos.
October 31, 2025 at 10:20 AM
"Die Funktion der Diplomatie ist das Fixieren von Ergebnissen, die im Theater des Krieges erreicht wurden."

So der russische Regime-Denker Dmitri Trenin. Das sollten sich die deutschen Putin-Versteher mal zu Gemüte führen. Auch sonst ein interessanter Text: www.kommersant.ru/doc/8158919
Виртуальное катание на американских горках
Дмитрий Тренин — о тактике и стратегии Дональда Трампа
www.kommersant.ru
October 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Janis Kluge
Die Sanktionen von Trump und der EU wirken - aber sie werden kaum die russische Wirtschaft kurzfristig in den Crash treiben oder Putin dazu bringen, seinen Angriffskrieg zu beenden. So meine Kurz-Version des Deep-Dives mit
@jakluge.de
👇 www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:...
Podcast: Janis Kluge: Warum Sanktionen wirken - aber den Krieg nicht stoppen
Kai Küstner spricht mit Wirtschaftswissenschaftler und Politologe der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik Janis Kluge über die US-Sanktionen. Erstmals stehen Russlands größte Energiekonzerne Lukoil und ...
www.ardaudiothek.de
October 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Another explanation for the stronger ruble: Some of Russia's oil taxes are paid quarterly, with the next round due at the end of the month. Russian oil exporters are exchanging export revenues into rubles to pay for these taxes.
October 28, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The ruble is strengthening at the moment. It also strengthened after the US sanctioned Surgutneftegaz and Gazprom Neft in January. One explanation is that Rosneft and Lukoil are transferring cash into Russia to protect it from being frozen.
October 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Estimating Russian military spending as of 31.8.2025:

Step 1/2

Federal budget totals (bn RUB)
27,920 total spending
- 20,160 open spending
-------------------------
7,760 classified spending
====================
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by Janis Kluge
»Die russische Wirtschaft war berauscht von den Militärausgaben, und jetzt kommt der Kater«, sagt @jakluge.de im Interview mit @faznet.bsky.social (Paywall). 👇
www.faz.net/aktuell/wirt...
Neue Wirtschaftslage: „Russland ist nicht mehr in der Komfortzone“
Die neuen Sanktionen werden die Wirtschaft nicht dramatisch treffen, sagt der Russland-Fachmann Janis Kluge. Doch die Lage im Land habe sich gewandelt: Reserven sind erschöpft, es droht die Rezession....
www.faz.net
October 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Janis Kluge
"The new sanctions will not have a dramatic impact on the economy, says Russia expert @jakluge.de . But the situation in the country has changed: Reserves are exhausted, there is a threat of recession. People are facing tougher times."

🎁 link
Neue Wirtschaftslage: „Russland ist nicht mehr in der Komfortzone“
Die neuen Sanktionen werden die Wirtschaft nicht dramatisch treffen, sagt der Russland-Fachmann Janis Kluge. Doch die Lage im Land habe sich gewandelt: Reserven sind erschöpft, es droht die Rezession....
www.faz.net
October 24, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Janis Kluge
Maxim Kireev @zeit.de zu den Ölsanktionen der USA - u.a. mit Einschätzungen von @jakluge.de
(Geschenklink ohne Paywall)

www.zeit.de/politik/ausl...
US-Sanktionen: Russlands Öl findet immer einen Weg
Die Ölsanktionen der USA treffen die russische Wirtschaft in schwierigen Zeiten. Doch ihre Wirkung könnte schnell verpuffen. Putins echtes Problem liegt woanders.
www.zeit.de
October 24, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Russian gasoline prices: Still rising, but not as fast anymore. Gasoline prices are heavily regulated, so it's not clear if this means that the crisis is over.
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM