temujin
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Putin has chosen his moment perfectly. Inflation is spiralling across the West with gas prices in Europe hitting record highs daily- utility bills are expected to double over the next 12 months- much of the EU is tethered to Russia's teat when it comes to gas supplies and can ill afford a conflict with it at this stage as the pain will be felt immediately by the population (and industry, most notably in Germany which relies on Russia for over 70% of its gas) Same for oil prices too- fast approaching 100 USD per barrel with pump prices at all time highs. Any talk of sanctions will send prices rocketing further. It cost me £ 1.50 last time I filled up in the UK, that's 50% up in 3 years. In Spain, its gone up 15% since I was last here 3 months ago- wages are a lot lower round here and people in the Mediterranean are very quick to take to the streets and riot- not a risk the EU wants to deal with given the simmering resentment in relation to various pandemic mandates.
In the mean time, Putin has signed an overarching strategic partnership with China in anticipation of this very moment and redirected almost 50% of his gas supplies to the country already. He has paid down Russia's debt (only 18% of GDP, amongst the lowest in the world) and accumulated a war chest of over 650 billion USD.
The guy has been planning this for years.
In the mean time, Putin has signed an overarching strategic partnership with China in anticipation of this very moment and redirected almost 50% of his gas supplies to the country already. He has paid down Russia's debt (only 18% of GDP, amongst the lowest in the world) and accumulated a war chest of over 650 billion USD.
The guy has been planning this for years.