Will the standard of living change dramatically - Russian people are anticipating

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

生活水準が劇的に変化か、身構えるロシア国民

2022.03.04 Fri posted at 17:45 JST

  ニューヨーク（ＣＮＮ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ） ロシアでは欧米諸国による制裁の影響で貯金の価値が目減りし、日用品の輸入が急速に途絶えつつある。国民は生活水準の劇的な変化を予想して身構えている。

欧米企業の間ではここ１週間、制裁違反を避けるためにロシア事業を断念する動きが相次いだ。国際舞台でのけ者扱いされつつあるロシアとの関係を維持すれば、広報上の深刻な問題が生じる可能性もある。

米アップルは１日、ロシアでの製品の販売を全面的に停止すると発表。それ以前にはフォードやゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）、ボルボ、ルノー、ジャガーなどの自動車・トラックメーカーも同様の動きを見せていた。欧米石油大手のシェルやＢＰはロシア企業との合弁を解消したほか、ディズニーやＣＮＮ親会社のワーナーメディアはロシアでの映画公開を中止した。

こうした経済的打撃に追い打ちをかけたのが、コンテナ海運の世界大手であるマースクとＭＳＣだ。両社は食料や医薬品、人道物資を除き、ロシアを発着する全ての貨物の予約を停止した。

さらに通貨ルーブルの急落も相まって、ロシア経済の息の根が止められ、自動車や携帯電話、衣類、食料といった必要不可欠な外国製品が手に入らなくなる恐れが出ている。ロシア経済は主に石油と天然ガスを原動力とする一方、消費財の完成品については輸入に大きく頼っているのが実情だ。

パニックの兆候は既にある。先週末には人々がＡＴＭ（現金自動出入機）の前に長蛇の列をつくる様子が何度も報じられた。中央銀行は今週、株式市場の閉鎖を続けて株の投げ売りを回避。また、通貨安定を目的に主要金利を倍以上の２０％に引き上げた。

Translation

  New York (CNN Business) In Russia, the value of savings was declining due to the effects of sanctions by Western countries, and imports of daily necessities were rapidly declining. The people were anticipating a dramatic change in living standards.

Over the past week, Western companies had been abandoning their Russian business to avoid sanctions violations. To maintain relations with Russia, which was being treated as an outcast on the international stage, could pose serious public relations problems.

The United States Apple announced on the 1st that the sale of the product in Russia would be completely stopped. Prior to that, car and truck makers such as Ford, General Motors (GM), Volvo, Renault and Jaguar were doing the same. Western oil giants Shell and BP had dissolved joint ventures with Russian companies, and Disney and CNN parent company Warner Media stopped releasing movies in Russia.

Maersk and MSC, the world's leading container shipping companies, added to this economic blow. Both companies had suspended reservations for all cargo to and from Russia, except food, medicine and humanitarian supplies.

In addition, the plunge in the currency ruble stopped the Russian economy from breathing, threatening to make essential foreign products such as cars, mobile phones, clothing and food unavailable. While the Russian economy was mainly driven by oil and natural gas, the reality was that it relied heavily on imports for finished consumer goods.

There were already signs of panic. It was reported many times last weekend that people were lining up in front of ATMs (automated teller machines). Central banks continued to close stock markets this week to avoid dumping sales. In addition, the main interest rate had more than doubled to 20% for the purpose of currency stability.

              So, the Russian people are anticipating a dramatic change in living standards. Will this help avert Putin’s aggression in Ukraine?