USSR was state organized economy, everything was according to some plan. Who and what produces and who will be buyer. There was already trouble with economy, in last Soviet years at some point we had vouchers so we can by limited things in shop. Actually, people had some money, just not what to buy. I do not know if it is what he ment by 'schock terapy', but economy collapse like overnight. There was no anymore market in Soviet side and in West side nobody needed what we produced. So, yes, it was quite schock as everything needed to be started practically from zero.
Should’ve gone to Specsavers
This is hard for westerners to appreciate I think. I remember two shocking observations of a journalist there at the time. Every litter bin seems to be spilling over with discarded party member cards; often burnt to emphasise the point and middle class Moscovites trying to sell possessions at the side of the road.
Many thanks, just bought. Only £3.99 for kindle edition
Yes, How to Steal A Trillion is well worth listening to twice.
That is about early 90? Probably you are right, actually I have no idea about Moscow. At our home I remember small cities, villages, who was more into local market, went through it a bit more easy than big cities with their big, specialized factories, who lost their market. At least at beginning.
Ahh, finally the central point, but purposefully inverted to hide your actual desire.
This has been brought up many times. Nothing was ever signed - no treaty, memorandum of understanding, etc.
As opposed to the actual invasions that Russia has done, complete with indiscriminate bombing and annexation of territory in three sovereign nations?
After Russians killed a lot of Georgians in a short but brutal war. Tzchinvali was basically flattened by Russian shelling. That's why Georgians hate you and fight and die for Ukraine. As do Moldovans and Belorussians.
Georgians remember this very well - that's why a battalion of them are fighting Russians in Ukraine.
