Bailing Out Russia for “Peace” Is a Losing Proposition

A proposed Russian economic reintegration plan, which includes sanctions relief and access to global markets, should be rejected by the West. Russia's economy has been fundamentally reoriented for long-term conflict, with defense and security spending now driving all growth while cannibalizing civilian industries. The Kremlin is relying on unsustainable emergency measures, such as draining fiscal reserves and maintaining high interest rates, to manage an economy that is deeply vulnerable and dependent on war. Reintegrating this system would be a losing proposition, as it would only restore the coercive instruments Moscow has long used to undermine European and U.S. security.