Russia has these vast swaths of mineral and energy resources across Siberia. Surely we can come to a deal that is financially beneficial to both us and them.
Yes I recall a discussion back in the late 80s where he said much the same thing, that Russia had untold riches in oil and minerals in siberia but lacked the technology to extract it, we had the tech but not the resources. A marriage made in heaven! Yet here we are 30 years later and still waiting.