It depends.. Russia sees Europe as their trading and cultural partner #1.. Think gas and crude pipelines, nuclear fuel, iron ore, titanium.. The American DS has spent decades of hard work in an effort to keep Russia separated from the rest of the Europe as much as possible, especially from Germany.. Why? The answer is Chyna..
When Europeans let the Russians down, then Russia has to turn south for a backup.. which is Chyna.. with the western sanctions in place (Crimea bad!), Russians cannot trade with Europe, this gives China a very good leverage in negotiations.. Russians primary export is energy --> Chyna gets huge amounts of gas and crude 20% cheaper than they normally would.. which in the end effect hurts both European and US interests because we are just feeding the dragon..
This is how the cookie crumbles.. What USA and EU really need to do is to cooperate with Russia in an effort to cut China out.. Putin will gladly help out as he already has a huge problem with the Chinks in the far east.. It's in our hands..
I get the feeling Putin would help with the Chicoms, for a part of the spoils.....
It depends.. Russia sees Europe as their trading and cultural partner #1.. Think gas and crude pipelines, nuclear fuel, iron ore, titanium.. The American DS has spent decades of hard work in an effort to keep Russia separated from the rest of the Europe as much as possible, especially from Germany.. Why? The answer is Chyna..
When Europeans let the Russians down, then Russia has to turn south for a backup.. which is Chyna.. with the western sanctions in place (Crimea bad!), Russians cannot trade with Europe, this gives China a very good leverage in negotiations.. Russians primary export is energy --> Chyna gets huge amounts of gas and crude 20% cheaper than they normally would.. which in the end effect hurts both European and US interests because we are just feeding the dragon..
This is how the cookie crumbles.. What USA and EU really need to do is to cooperate with Russia in an effort to cut China out.. Putin will gladly help out as he already has a huge problem with the Chinks in the far east.. It's in our hands..