It's well known that russian money causes internal strife in western democracies. According to Fiona Hill, basically the gold standard on mondern russia, Putin jokes at dinner parties that he can buy anyone in US or UK.

Why did nothing happen when Russia used what is essentially a dirty bomb on UK soil to assassinate someone? Because Putin can dangle a billion dollars in front of someone and their knees get all weak.

Both Russia and China have infiltrated western democracies with money. Certain politicians, banks, papers, real estate markets, etc. are bought and paid for. Russia may be broke as shit, but putin isn't. He's quite literally the richest person in the world.