Krasnov delivered on his goals: mission accomplished or farce

Krasnov has met all his objectives. Now what?

Agent Krasnov has delivered. Every single objective. The phrase, tossed out with a mix of mockery and admiration, circulates among those tracking the drift of US foreign policy. If the assignment was to wear the United States down from within, dismantle its global influence and sow chaos in its institutions, the verdict is unanimous: mission accomplished. The evidence is right there in the man's own —and rather sparse— file. But the economy, that thermometer that tests everything, reads it differently.

The cost of loyalty: sanctions and oil

Those who defend Krasnov's record point out that, despite the sanctions, the Russian economy has held up. Crude oil prices, energy deals with China and partial de-dollarization have provided breathing room. But that optimism collides with the reality of a war of attrition draining resources and human capital. The macro figures don't tell the story of the average citizen, who watches their purchasing power shrink while the Kremlin celebrates its resilience. The scene recalls Cold War playbooks: geopolitical triumph doesn't always reach the wallet.

The Nobel Peace Prize paradox

The proposal to award him the Order of Lenin —that Soviet decoration— keeps resurfacing with a smirk. The irony peaks when it is compared to the Nobel Peace Prize. Because Krasnov, the same man who according to his critics has wrecked Europe's security architecture, is also a man of peace to his trinc. Cognitive dissonance is the fuel of this narrative. At its core, the price of stability is what's at stake: how much are we willing to pay for a world order that no longer exists?

The final tally is far from settled. If Krasnov's goal was to destroy US influence, the evidence suggests he has succeeded. But the bill is also being paid by his own side. The economy, that merciless judge, knows nothing of ideological loyalties. Only numbers. And for now, the account remains open.