For the past two years, Russian businesses have been key contributors to the Kremlin's military efforts draining Russia's life blood away from other key sectors. This has cemented the importance of the West's continued sanctions as a critical policy against Russia. However, the implementation of these sanctions has not been entirely successful. The lack of a strategy for a ‘roll back’, or even provisions for such a possibility, has cornered Russian financiers and, by extension, the regime into a deadlock. This situation leaves us with limited options.
The absence of clear exit routes from these sanctions has forced businesses into a reliance on the Kremlin's unstable economic environment. This scenario is compounded by the opposition's failure to articulate clear, growth-focused policies that could incentivise a shift in support towards alternative political structures.
The dire economic situation faced by most Russians is indisputable. Under over two decades of Putin's rule, many have been reduced to substandard living conditions, losing hope and dignity, while daily propaganda assaults undermine rational thinking. In this context, the Kremlin's war of aggression in Ukraine is viewed by many as a twisted opportunity for economic respite, despite its devastating consequences.
This year, the Kremlin's budget dedicates nearly one-third of Russia's resources to sustaining its ongoing offensive and destruction in Ukraine. As a Russian residing in Ukraine, and fundamentally a human being, the grim reality of the Kremlin orchestrating two genocides is unbearable. On one front, there is the genocide of the Ukrainian people, funded by Russian taxpayers. On the other, a domestic genocide ensues against the Russian people themselves, with their taxes and resources diverted away from combating poverty, and filling the vast voids in healthcare, education, social care, and other crucial public services. This situation cannot be allowed to persist.
In response, 2022 saw the inception of the Congress of People's Deputies, a unifying force for the Russian opposition against the Kremlin. This assembly strives to present Russians with a viable and effective parliament, an alternative to Putin’s Duma, which has been complicit in validating genocides. Our vision is set on a trajectory towards peace for both Ukraine and Russia, achieving prosperity at the cost of reducing military spending and curbing imperial ambitions. It is only through this route, combined with transparent and fair business practices, that we can lift the Russian populace out of poverty, offer businesses a new beginning in Western trade, and accrue the essential resources needed for the reconstruction of Ukraine by its people.
The Congress of People's Deputies is charting a course for the transformation of Russia's economy, centring on pragmatic, growth-driven policies to stimulate economic activity. Our goal is to cultivate a climate where entrepreneurship and innovation flourish, moving beyond the Kremlin’s narrow focus on exploiting natural resources. This is more than an economic pivot; it's a cultural shift, aiming to supplant the regime's pervasive propaganda with logical, progressive governance.
Russia must look outward and learn from global examples. The Middle East, often seen by Russians as a haven for leisure and financial security, has undergone remarkable transformations. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have evolved from oil-dependent economies to becoming hubs for tourism, IT, and AI. These are the models we aspire to replicate, recalling Russia's own initial strides at Skolkovo before corruption and vested interests took over. Our strategy is to diversify Russia's economic base, creating broader opportunities both domestically and for international partners.
Improving the living standards of the average Russian is at the forefront of our agenda. Years of neglect have left deep fissures in critical public services such as healthcare, education, and social care. It's time to bring an end to the era of exclusive Kremlin-run hospitals and ensure that essential services are universally accessible. The robustness of Russia's healthcare and educational systems is fundamental to the nation's stability, societal harmony, and economic advancement.
At the heart of the Congress of People's Deputies' vision is the liberation of Russian businesses from the confines of sanctions through support for Ukraine. By aligning with global standards and requirements, Russian businesses stand to regain their foothold in international markets, contributing significantly to a more just and prosperous society. Transparent and ethical business practices are fundamental to this new chapter in Russia's economic narrative.
Taxation should not be equated with prosperity, and the introduction of new state taxes must undergo rigorous scrutiny. This includes federal referendums and local government decisions, ensuring fiscal changes genuinely reflect the will of the people. Citizens, understanding best how to utilise their funds, should be at the heart of shaping fiscal policy. This participatory approach to policymaking will foster a sense of ownership among the populace, promoting responsible economic behaviours and contributing to overall economic stability.
The Congress advocates for pragmatic limits on key macroeconomic indicators as a sign of commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term economic health. By setting ceilings on government revenue and expenditure relative to GDP, and curbing budget deficits and national debt, the Congress aims to lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.
Another fundamental aspect of the proposed economic reforms is the principle of budget universality. By allocating all federal, regional, and local budget revenues to finance shared expenditures and barring the earmarking of specific government revenues for designated expenses, with the notable exception of Ukraine's reconstruction, the Congress seeks to ensure more efficient and transparent management of public funds.
A pivotal part of our strategy is the liberty of capital movement. By enabling both residents and non-residents to freely partake in currency exchange and financial transactions, and guaranteeing equal rights in the securities and financial instruments market, the Congress aspires to more fully integrate the Russian economy into the global financial system. This approach is designed to attract foreign investment, boost economic growth, and aid in the recovery and development of the Russian economy.
Equally vital is Russia's role in rebuilding Ukraine. A robust, stable, and ethically-driven Russian economy is crucial to the reconstruction of Ukraine. The revenue generated from a rejuvenated business sector, especially in energy industries under international oversight, will be pivotal in compensating for the damages wrought by the war. While we cannot reverse the losses incurred by Ukraine, it is imperative for Russia to fulfil its moral obligation to redress the destruction it has caused.
This transformative vision includes liberating economic activity. Empowering Russian citizens to engage freely in economic endeavours without bureaucratic encumbrances will unleash a wave of entrepreneurialism and innovation. This spirit of enterprise, evident in the early post-Soviet era and stifled by decades of restrictive governance and corruption, is ready to be reignited. By doing so, we aim to stimulate economic dynamism and create fertile ground for new ventures and innovative business models, breathing life into Russia's static economic landscape.
Our plan is not just to finance a 21st-century Marshall plan for Ukraine's reconstruction, fuelled by revenues from rejuvenated energy trade with Europe, but use the very tool with which Russia has been holding the world ransom - energy resources - as a force for good, while also rerouting funds currently squandered on military campaigns into crucial public sectors and social. This reallocation of resources is a moral imperative as much as an economic strategy, aimed at repairing the damage wrought by prolonged mismanagement and neglect.
In sum, the Congress of People's Deputies is committed to a broad-ranging economic reform, guided by ethical considerations and the aim to uplift the quality of life for all Russians. This approach isn't simply about economic recalibration; it's about healing a nation and building a future where prosperity is shared and sustainable.
In today's economic climate, the Congress of People's Deputies stands as a beacon of hope for Russia, offering a vision of promise and assurance for Ukraine's future, and for the reintegration of Russia into world markets in a manner and fashion that are sustainable and conductive to growth.