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Russians Worried, Defiant Amid Financial Crisis

Despite dire predictions about Russia's economy for 2015, many Russians welcomed the New Year with cheers and hopes for a better future. With the sinking value of the ruble, some people say they crave stability more than they do prosperity. But the troubles, including political tensions with the West, seem to have spurred a surge of national pride, something Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to boost with his New Year's message. Hopes for a better future also seem especially high among Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

The fireworks in Moscow's Red Square on New Year's Eve were greeted with much enthusiasm, recalling better times in Russia.

"We wish the most positive, all the best, for Russia. It will win - Russia is always the best, the most powerful. Russia rules! Hooray! Go Russia!" said one Muscovite.

But sinking oil prices combined with Western sanctions against Russia could lead to an economic recession in the country this year. The value of the Russian ruble has declined by about one-half against Western currencies, bewildering ordinary Russians.

"I looked at the exchange rate every day. It was simply interesting for me to watch this exchange rate that was growing and falling and then growing. But it had no effect on me. When you have nothing you can't lose anything either!" said Elena, a local.

Even President Putin warned Russians of the possible difficulties ahead.

"In the coming year, we will together have to solve many problems. And the year will turn out the way we ourselves decide to make it -- the results will be as effective, creative, as each of us endeavor to make them. There are simply no other recipes,” said Putin.

But while he vowed that Russia will soon overcome its problems, Putin's opponents are predicting a dark future.

"The end is near, the country is at the brink of going down. I have these kinds of feelings. That's why I'm saying that people will take to the street demanding a change to the situation, and we will contribute to this. That's why I think that 2015 is a very important year. I would say it may be a historic year," said Mikhail Kasyanov, a former Russian prime minister and opposition leader.

Russian financial officials say that with some effort, an economic disaster can be avoided.

"Any improvement, even a very small local one, in general policy, is able to strengthen the markets. For example, European sanctions need to be voted upon to be extended, and maybe if Russia doesn't give cause for a strengthening of sanctions, we can get a positive result in that case," said Sergei Romanchuk, who works in the foreign exchange and money market department at Metallinvestbank.

The most recent polls show that President Putin still enjoys strong popular support, between 70 and 80 percent. That support is especially high among Russian speakers in Crimea, a Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia last March - and despite shortages of water and electricity they have suffered ever since.

"We came today to the square to celebrate the New Year together with the town, with the people and to see Putin. They have promised they will switch off the light in the apartments, but we really wanted to see the president. So that's why we came: to feel the unity and the mood of the town. And to celebrate the New Year," said a resident of Sevastopol.

The annexation of Crimea and Moscow's support for Russian separatists in the rest of eastern Ukraine have earned Western condemnation and contributed to Russia's economic woes. Some Russians are looking at it philosophically.

"We have got used to being more optimistic, despite everything. Because if you don't laugh, you can go crazy," said Anastasia Khripunova, a student.

Others look at the situation with a sense of humor. One singer asked Santa Claus to send Russians a new and unused president packed in a gift box, with a return label in case he is not satisfactory.

词汇解析

barrier

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

n.栅栏；障碍物；屏障

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Heavy duties on imports and exports are a barrier to international trade.

进出口的高关税是国际贸易的障碍。

The Sahara Desert is a natural barrier between north and central Africa.

撒哈拉沙漠是北非与中非之间的天然屏障。

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respond

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

v.回答；响应；反应；反应灵敏；反响

n.[建]壁联；[宗]应唱圣歌

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

I invited her to dinner but she did not respond.

我请她吃晚饭，但她未作回答。

The professor lectured with a beaming countenance, but the students didn't respond much, only agreeing with what he said.

教授讲得眉飞色舞，学生们却没有太大的反响，只是随声应和。

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feature

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

n.特征；特色；容貌；特写；故事片

vt.以 ... 为特色

vi.起重要作用

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

Their candor is a very pleasing feature.

他们的坦白是很愉快的特征。

用作及物动词 (vt.)

This restaurant seems to feature vegetarian dishes.

这家餐厅似乎以素菜为其特色。

用作不及物动词 (vi.)

Jazz and Blues feature prominently in the magazine.

爵士和蓝调在杂志中占重要篇幅。

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remains

难度：5星基本词汇，属常用1000词

英汉解释

n.剩余物；遗迹；遗体

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

After the wheat crop has been gathered, many farmers burn the remains and plough the ash into the soil, so as to enrich it.

小麦收割完成后，农夫们把剩余物烧掉，然后用犁把灰埋入地里，使土地更肥沃。

Choi's remains true today for cremation.

崔真实的遗体今天进行火葬。

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demand

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

n.要求；需求

v.要求；查问；需要

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

The demand for coal begins to slacken off in the spring.

煤的需求在春天开始减少。

用作动词 (v.)

All these questions demand careful and detailed study.

这些都需要认真具体的研究。

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cooperate

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

vi.合作；协力；配合

参考例句

用作不及物动词 (vi.)

I advise you not to cooperate with that deceitful businessman.

我建议你不要和那个不诚实的商人合作。

If they can cooperate with each other, everything should run smoothly.

如果你们能互相配合，一切都会顺利的。

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persist

难度：4星核心词汇，属常用3000词

英汉解释

v.坚持；执意；继续；持续

参考例句

用作动词 (v.)

They persist with the agricultural reform, despite opposition from the farmers.

他们不顾农民反对,仍继续进行农业改革。

The cold weather will persist for the rest of the week.

这种寒冷的天气将持续到本周末。

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refuge

难度：3星常用词汇，属常用6000词

英汉解释

n.避难；避难所；庇护

v.庇护；避难

参考例句

用作名词 (n.)

They took refuge in a cave yesterday.

他们昨天是在一个洞里避难的。

用作动词 (v.)

Drug traffickers refuged in these border areas.

毒品贩子在这些边界地区躲避。

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