Archived version

On November 18, Russia’s State Duma passed the 2026 draft budget in its second reading. The plan includes raising the value-added tax (VAT) from 20 to 22 percent and increasing taxes on small and medium-sized businesses. During the same session, lawmakers also approved a “technology fee” that will be charged to importers and manufacturers of household appliances and electronics.

The Putin administration for state-run and pro-government media, designed to help them present the new policies in a way that suits the Kremlin.

TL;DR:

• The West is to blame for the tax hikes.
• Media outlets are strongly advised to avoid mentioning Putin’s name in stories about rising taxes to make sure clear that the public does not associate any of these unpopular decisions with Putin personally
• The Putin administration recommends citing European countries that are supposedly “slashing social programs to fund weapons.”
• Fears that tax increases drive up prices should be eased by saying that the tax changes will have only a “minimal” impact on inflation.
• In addition, the Putin administration urges loyal media to shift attention toward a separate tax increase on bookmakers, portraying it as a “fair” measure.

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Meanwhile, Russia starts selling off its gold reserves to fund the war budget, breaking a long-held taboo, as the country’s Central Bank confirmed to Russian media outlet Interfax.

The move marks a significant shift in how Moscow is tapping its financial buffers to sustain government spending during the war against Ukraine.

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