NEWSLINK: “Russia Outlook 2018” – Intellinews/ Ben Aris

“Russia needs a new economic model and 2018 is the year that one will be chosen – or not. First the country needs to get through a presidential election in March (that will almost certainly be won by president Vladimir Putin). After that the Kremlin will turn to making reforms, but the effects of any reforms that do happen are unlikely to kick in until the second half of the year. …”