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 Originally Posted by OngBonga
They care about Nord Stream for as long as Europe is a potential customer.
My point exactly, I don't think they're a potential customer at least as long as Putin is on power. He has been using his leverage since the early summer, and has it changed EU's stance regarding Ukraine?
Originally Posted by OngBonga
Just because Russia are attempting to balance their export markets, doesn't mean they actually want to cut off Europe. And just because Europe is very anti-Russian at this moment in time, doesn't mean they won't buy their gas in a few years.
I'm sure Putin expected the war to be over in 3 days, for Zelensky to flee, Ukraine to topple over and the West to mumble in its beard, but none of that happened. They'd love nothing more than to keep selling gas to Europe.
Originally Posted by OngBonga
There's a lot more to it than just gas. Russia and China have something of an unofficial alliance at the moment, but that won't develop into a formal alliance because Russia will not accept being subservient to a partner. At some point in the future, Russia will want improved relations with the West, probably around the time their relationship with China begins to break down.
The relationship with China is already at "it's complicated", China wants to have a trade relationship with the EU, where the Ukraine war is seen as detrimental, but their goals are aligned with Russia to challenge US's geopolitical position. They've been trying to remain neutral but are more and more openly speaking against the war. I wouldn't be surprised if Russia will try to initiate peace negotiations now after the annexations.
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