The end of the line

摘要

Malina, a trendy restaurant in a city south of Moscow, was empty on a recent Thursday evening. "A crisis," the manager explained nervously. Some meat and fish dishes were missing. "Sanctions," he added with a sigh. The signs of a country in the economic doldrums are visible in Moscow, too. Tour operators are going out of business; shops and small businesses are up for sale; led displays outside bureaux de change send spirits sinking.