Putin Is Saving Billions for His Next Showdown With the West
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A look at Russia’s books suggests Vladimir Putin is preparing for war, though not necessarily the kind involving the invincible hypersonic missiles and nuclear torpedoes he’s been bragging about for a year.
Putin's quietly built a financial fortress that government officials and Kremlin advisers say will safeguard the economy from the escalating salvos they see coming, all while keeping the U.S. and its allies guessing about Russia’s military capabilities and intentions.