Comment by Copenjin

It's both poor, failing and with a population affected by chronic depression. But for that reason (desperation) they should not be underestimated and should have been handled in a way less gentle way.

> Russia has vast natural resources and enough buyers

Not saying that it's not what has kept them standing until now, but the buyers make the price in this case. So who knows what the price could become in the future.

> Will they try to buy it out and bring a (even more) fascist autocratic regime there? Probably yes.

Are you still talking about Russia with their monopoly currency? "Try" as in one probability over one billion to succeed and be disposed of a few days later. This ability to influence foreign countries effectively and not in clownish ways is a nice story for kids.