As Putin orchestrates his reelection, a resilient Russian economy is a key selling point

abcnews.go.com:

Russia's economy is holding up despite massive Western sanctions and foreign businesses pulling out of the country

MOSCOW — Russians are finding a few imported staples, like fruit, coffee and olive oil, have shot way up in price. Most global brands have disappeared — or been reincarnated as Russian equivalents under new, Kremlin-friendly ownership. A lot more Chinese cars are zipping around the streets. Those who want a particular luxury cosmetic may be out of luck.

Other than that, not much has changed economically for most people in President Vladimir Putin’s Russia, more than two years after he sent troops into Ukraine.

That’s despite the sweeping sanctions that have cut off much of Russia’s trade with Europe, the U.S. and their allies.

That sense of stability is a key asset for Putin as he orchestrates his foreordained victory in the March 15-17 presidential election for a fifth, six-year term.

Inflation is higher than most people would like, at over 7% — above the central bank's goal of 4%. But unemployment is low, and the economy is expected to grow 2.6% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, double the previous forecast. That's far above the 0.9% expansion predicted for Europe.

“There are difficulties, of course — they're connected with the general situation in the world,” said Andrei Fedotov, 55, who was walking down the Tverskaya Street central shopping avenue a few blocks from the Kremlin. “We know this very well, but I believe we'll overcome them.”

Higher prices «bother me, of course — like any consumer, I see them going up,» said Fedotov, who works in education. ”It's connected to the times that we're in, and which will pass."

Brand manager Irina Novikova, 39, was upbeat despite higher