How can Putin afford a war in Ukraine? His $130 billion gold hoard helps.

Forbes/Christopher Helman/1-31-2022

“How can Russian President Vladimir Putin afford the costs—both direct and indirect—of a new war in Ukraine? Easy—he’s been preparing for years. Russia’s central bank reserves now stand at $640 billion, a record.

USAGOLD note: An informative revuew if Russia’s reserves position including gold … It seems Putin has been preparing for possible sanctions for many years and part of the strategy is a strong increase in gold stockpiles, now the fourth largest in the world and growing.