Add your comment by filling out the form below in plain text. Comments are approved by a moderator and can be edited in accordance with RFAs Terms of Use. Comments will not appear in real time. RFA is not responsible for the content of the postings. Please, be respectful of others' point of view and stick to the facts.
Things are at a critical juncture. Oil prices are rumored to continue to drop. If the Saudis are convinced to NOT cut production (so oil drops to $60), and the West moves to lock Russia out from SWIFT - how's that for a scenario?
Putin is an ultra-nationalist. But when pushed to the wall, he could see things differently. China has what he needs - namely lots of cash. How about US$1 Trillion in cash for 100 years of development rights on the eastern 1/3 of Siberia, including the Kuriles?
So Putin gets cash, and China gets 50 years of 10% growth. The ongoing extraction taxes (to be negotiated as part of the deal) alone would support a mid level income for ALL Russians. China would develop at least 1 million sq. km. of farmland out of that 5 million sq. km., and would be able to feed yet another China and export at will. The world gets ample low cost food. Everyone wins.
Nov 26, 2014 03:03 AM
Reply to this comment
Ecosystems and the environment certainly lose as more fossil fuel extraction takes place under Putin in Russia and Xi Jinping in China.
Nov 30, 2014 09:10 PM
Reply to this comment