Russian Press Questions Trump’s Political Value

(MOSCOW) – Russian newspapers report mounting economic pressures, including rising unemployment, sectoral slowdown and price increases, while also suggesting that Donald Trump’s political value to Moscow is diminishing ahead of US midterm elections.

According to Moskovski Komsomolets, the number of workers facing layoffs has increased for the tenth consecutive month. As of 1 April, more than 105,000 workers were affected, a rise of 43 percent since mid last year. Those most at risk include financial specialists, tax inspectors, hospital staff and government employees. The increase in job losses is linked primarily to a federal budget deficit that exceeded 4.6 trillion roubles, approximately $49 billion, in the first two months of the year. The report also cites digitalisation and the growing use of artificial intelligence as contributing factors.

Certain sectors, including the iron and steel industry, are described as being in a technical recession. Analysts cited by the paper suggest that rising unemployment is likely to affect these sectors first.

Russian media also report that taxi fares are expected to rise significantly, with prices projected to increase by at least 30 percent by the end of 2026. The increase is attributed to higher costs for vehicles, maintenance, insurance and fuel. At the same time, Izvestia reports that inflation has remained close to zero for two consecutive weeks, noting that cucumber prices are around 4 percent lower than in mid April.

Another potential source of revenue for the state is the sale of land confiscated from officials convicted of corruption. A cartoon accompanying the report depicts warehouses overflowing with seized property, with a character asking when sales will begin.

The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has commented publicly for the first time on mobile internet shutdowns affecting parts of the country. Critics have described the disruptions as censorship, while he stated they are necessary for security. “The security of citizens will always be the priority for the country’s leadership,” he said, adding that the measures are linked to efforts to prevent terrorist threats.

Russian media have also turned their attention to the United States. An article in Moskovski Komsomolets suggests that while relatively positive relations with the US president remain an important foreign policy resource for Moscow, their value is declining. The paper states that this trend is likely to continue as the November midterm elections approach.

It describes Trump as “a lame duck up to his neck in a political quagmire of his own making,” arguing that the Iran crisis has damaged his image and weakened his ability to manage US military, economic and diplomatic resources effectively.

Russian outlets continue to criticise foreign leaders more openly than domestic ones, where scrutiny of the Kremlin leadership remains limited.

Several newspapers also mark the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. Official reports note that more than half a million people participated in the emergency response, with around 150,000 liquidators registered in Russia.

Polling cited by Kommersant indicates widespread belief in conspiracy theories among the Russian public. More than half of respondents believe at least one such theory, including claims that coronavirus was deliberately created, belief in a secret global government, and a small proportion who believe the Earth is flat.

Russian newspapers also include humour sections reflecting economic concerns. One joke features a job applicant explaining he learned of a vacancy after being dismissed the previous day. Another warns drivers not to fall asleep at the wheel, noting that “the country needs every taxpayer.” A historical joke attributes long standing hardship to events dating back centuries, suggesting that poor living conditions have persisted over time.