It is unlikely that Russia will soon join the European Union, but it has nowhere else to go

It is unlikely that Russia will join the European Union in the near future, but it has nowhere else to go Sergey Guriev* economist (18+) THIS MATERIAL (INFORMATION) WAS PRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED AND (OR) SENT BY FOREIGN AGENT SERGEY MARATOVICH GURIEV OR CONCERNES THE ACTIVITIES OF SERGEY MARATOVICCH FOREIGN AGENT GURIEV. Now it is very difficult to talk about a bright future for Russia, but nevertheless, the countries are not disappearing anywhere.

The war won’t end until the West strengthens sanctions, better arms Kyiv and incentivises a Russian brain drain Vladimir Putin visits the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia, 7 October 2025. Photo: EPA / MIKHAIL METZEL / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN As the war in Ukraine drags on, the economic policy debate in Russia has shifted from celebrating war-driven growth to arguing over whether the economy is stagnating or has entered a recession.