Russia's 2014 Economic Outlook Bleak Amid Toughening Western Sanctions

The Russian economy was barely growing even before it was hit with Western sanctions following its annexation of Crimea. Many economists think further escalation of the crisis in Ukraine would likely push Russia's economy into recession for the first time since the aftermath of the most recent global financial crisis. Last year, the economy grew by just 1.3 percent -- its lowest growth in the past 13 years barring the downturn-hit 2009. But there had been hopes that growth would rebound this yea...