But, what if you make it all the way to a secure Russian port on the Mediterranean? There's plenty of water there, and Russian access has been part of the Great Game for a long time.
LOL! you’re killin’ me Swine.
***But, what if you make it all the way to a secure Russian port on the Mediterranean? ***
Same reason the British opposed Russian advances into Afghanistan in the 1840s, and their invasion of Afghanistan in 1980. Then a quick push through Iran and Pakistan to the Indian Ocean. No ice bound ports for them.