Kryachkov 2!indd

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Английский язык для магистратуры
R
ussia: a Part of The W
orld or...
(25) the risk that any violence next to its territory would __________ (26) into Russia or demand 
Moscow’s involvement. The greatest concern Russia has today is that instability in neighboring 
countries might spill over into the country itself or __________ (27) Russian forces into conflict. 
More importantly, apart from mediating and managing conflicts among its neighbors, Moscow 
has to keep the CIS space free from expanding politico-military alliances such as NATO, which are 
perceived as a clear __________ (28) to its security and sovereignty. 
Ex. 32. 
a) Read the following article and identify its topic and thesis. 
b) Think of a possible title.
c) Comment on the ideas of the article.
As 2014 began, few in Russia could have imagined how far its fortunes would fall by year’s 
end. Russia is entering strategic decline. It has options for recovery, but as yet shows little sign of 
exercising them.
This year Russia saw setbacks on three main fronts: economics, political and social, and foreign 
policy.
A severe financial crisis has hit Russia, and next year its economy may slide into a deep and 
persistent recession. Oil prices have plunged by about two-fifths, yet Russia depends on oil and 
gas exports for the majority of its state budget. Stock prices relative to earnings are the lowest of 
any emerging market.
Corruption and state economic interference stifle private initiative, and bloated state enter-
prises such as Rosneft are subsidized. Without major changes, the economy will not recover in 
anything like the two years President Vladimir Putin predicted last week. He offered no strategy for 
recovery. Instead, he is avoiding liberalizing reforms and hoping that oil prices will rise and reserve 
funds will see Russia through.
Demographic problems are significant, e.g., one-fourth of men die before the age of 55, versus 
7 percent in the United K. More people emigrated from Russia in the first eight months of 2014 — 
just over 200,000 — than in any recent full year.
Taken together, these are telltale signs of strategic decline. Russia can mitigate them, or turn 
around adversity, but this requires a new course.
Russia can reduce the scope of state-controlled enterprises, the least productive part of Rus-
sia’s economy. One-quarter or less of Russian GDP derives from small and medium-sized firms, 
well below the proportion in developed countries. Independent energy companies in Russia have 
shown the dynamism of private enterprise when allowed to compete. Innovative private firms of-
ten partner with foreign counterparts, which would bring more international stakeholder support 
for Russia’s future.
Russia can gain by leveraging the EU’s eastward reach, not repelling it. Europe will remain Rus-
sia’s most important economic partner, even as ties with China burgeon. To benefit its Eurasian 
Economic Union, Russia should reach out to Brussels to find ways to make it more compatible 
with the prosperous EU region. Better financial transparency and regulation in Russia would help 
it gain more access to international capital markets.
Nowhere can Moscow do more to reverse decline than by improving ties with neighbors. Now 
that Moscow has cancelled its proposal for a South Stream gas pipeline via the Black Sea to Europe, 
Russia has an incentive to reach accommodation with Ukraine, its largest gas customer and transit 

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Д. А. Крячков