A State Duma deputy from the Novosibirsk region representing Russia’s Communist Party (KPRF) said Russia must bring the war in Ukraine to “the swiftest possible end” because the country’s economy “won’t survive a prolonged special military operation.” The deputy, Renat Suleymanov, made the remarks in an interview with the Novosibirsk-based news outlet Kontinent Sibiri.
Forty percent of the federal budget is going to defense and security, he said, hindering development and investment.