Russia is nowhere near a superpower – Swedish economist

The arguments that, as a superpower, Russia can have some geopolitical claims on Ukraine, hold no water, a renowned Swedish economist and Peterson World Economy Institute researcher, Anders Aslund says, Novy region reports Apr. 5.

Russia’s GDP is merely 2.9% of the world one and 6% of those of NATO countries.

Russia’s defense budget is 10 times lower than that of the NATO countries, Aslund points out.

“Why should Russia be allowed to place itself above the law even if it doesn’t qualify for a superpower?” Aslund asks the proponents of Russia’s “special geopolitical role.”

The expert also questions the assumption that Vladimir Putin bases his decisions on rational grounds.

“Putin is wrapped up in the belief that US special services are behind all revolutions in the world. Accordingly, Ukrainians could not have toppled the corrupt Yanukovych regime on their own.

It takes a complete paranoic to think so, the expert concludes.

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