S8 Ep161: Russia's Financial Desperation: Failed Bond Issues and Discounted Oil — Michael Bernstam — Bernstamdocuments Russia's systematic struggle to finance its expanding budget deficit and war cost

Russia's Financial Desperation: Failed Bond Issues and Discounted Oil — Michael Bernstam — Bernstamdocuments Russia's systematic struggle to finance its expanding budget deficit and war costs through issuance of "Panda bonds" denominated in Chinese renminbi, efforts that have largely failed as Chinese investors regard Russian sovereign debt as excessively risky. Bernstam documents that Russia's oil revenue is severely constrained by Western sanctions enforcement, forcing Moscow to sell crude petroleum at approximately $40 per barrel compared to global market prices exceeding $60, while the European Union remains gridlocked regarding authorization to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian defense funding. 1906 NORTHSIDE PEKING