I think Russia has every reason to. The Chinese are not Western Russia. There’s a big difference. The Chinese are doing the same thing to Eastern Russia that Mexico is doing to the United States. Russia can’t be blind to this. It isn’t necessary to make a big deal out of it, but Russia has more reason to need the West than it does to need China.
If China realizes it’s desires, Russia will be on the chopping block. Russia has less populace now than the United States. In it’s U.S.S.R. days, it was comparative to the United States population wise. It’s bad enough thinking of having to go up against China when it’s six to one. Imagine what it must be like to think of it in ten or twelve to one terms.
If China were to move against Russia in the future, think of the other areas where there has been unrest south of Russia. Those states may find it an opportunity to take on parts of Russia.
Seems to me a thinking Russian leadership might come to similar conclusions. I will say also, Vlad’s comments about the United States aren’t such that they are demeaning. They are in a sense corrective, almost as if he had an identity of sorts with the United States.
Since the Bush days I have thought we should have made inroads with Russia. I don’t mention Clinton, because what kind of a relationship would that guy have been qualified to work up with Russia, bringing Russian playmates over for his consumption?
At any rate, I think Western Russia would be ripe for the picking, if we were to play our cards right.