Moscow plans huge budget cuts in an attempt to limit its fiscal deficit-–rejecting pressure to follow the U.S. to try to stimulate the economy with a big boost in public borrowing.
The proposals suggest that Moscow is losing hope it can stave off the crisis with public spending and is instead battening down the hatches for what might be a prolonged recession.
The plans also indicate that the authorities are not giving in to a quick-fix response and are ready to resist pressure.