*** Official Putin Started Shootin' Thread ***

[CoccoBill]

You do realize you're giving reasons why Russia wouldn't care about Nord Stream 1, half owned by Germany? The building of Nord Stream 2 had already been canceled.

[OngBonga]

You do realize you're giving reasons why Russia wouldn't care about Nord Stream 1, half owned by Germany? The building of Nord Stream 2 had already been canceled.

They care about Nord Stream for as long as Europe is a potential customer. And they remain a potential customer. 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.

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.

Nord Stream 2 is completed, it just hasn't entered service yet.

[CoccoBill]

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?

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.

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.

[OngBonga]

This has just been uploaded to YouTube...



40 minutes and I haven't watched it yet, just about to, so no idea if it's a good analysis, but this channel (RealLifeLore) does usually upload quality content, even if the narrator is an annoying American.

CaspianReport is better than this channel and also worth looking at for geopolitical analysis.

[OngBonga]

The biggest problem between Russia and China is likely going to be Eastern Russia, including Vladivostok. This region of Russia was historically China, and Chinese immigration is happening at such a pace that it's estimated by 2030 the Chinese will have a majority in this region. That spells trouble for their relationship. China will want that land back, especially if it is majority Chinese people. And Russia will not be willing to give up their only year round ice-free port on the Pacific.

This is less than a decade away, it's the not-too-distant future. Russia is getting weaker while China gets stronger. And if China becomes stronger than USA, then it may well be in our interests to be friends with Russia instead of enemies to ensure the geopolitical balance of power doesn't swing decisively in China's favour.