Quote Originally Posted by 14Russian View Post
I'm not surprised 'you missed it.'(Deleted. L.) The point is about Russia's decisions and Putin going on his knees to get a deal done with China. The conditions are unfavourable to the country and the expenses just make it that much worse. China wins out on the insane conflict between Ukraine and Russia. I still predict Russians will be protesting eventually because the propaganda chest-beating will only work for so long. As for the rest of your reply, I won't waste my time.
Obama goes on his knees - I think he lives on his knees. Putin stands or sits in a chair.
And btw, the propaganda chest-beating will only "work for so long" for the Obama administration. Americans are already waking up to the truth.
Oh, and thanks for not "wasting your time" on the rest of my reply. It saves me from having to waste my time on yours... IF I even wanted to. I've been spending most of my free time in Virtual Russia and I totally avoid most distractions from that.

But this thread reminds me of 2 movies I recently watched - Брат 2 и Сталинград. Especially the first one - some things Danila said to Mennis before he went back to Russia:

Вот скажи мне, американец, в чём сила? Разве в деньгах? У тебя много денег, и чего? Я вот думаю, что сила в Правде.
But even if you really believe that money is power, then what is Vladimir Putin's net worth if the Ruble collapses? You can't separate President Putin - or anyone in the State Duma - from the Russian people.
No. Whatever President Putin is doing, he is doing for the Russian people and for himself. Russia IS united.
Fear without courage is defeat. Fear builds the courage and strength that people need to face the source of their fears and endure the obstacles they need to overcome.

As for me, I'm not unnerved by anything President Putin - or the Russian people - do. Why? Because Time of Troubles. Because Ivan. Because Stalingrad. Because I know the Russian people have more than enough courage to deal with the problems the stupid sanctions are creating. They survived the Battle of Borodino, the Seige of Sevastopol, and the Battle of Stalingrad etc etc... So I know they will survive a temporary dip in the economy. The Bear is battling a mouse.

I'm playing a video game, nomming cookies and hot cocoa, adding details to my map of Russia, doing homework, and posting. That's called multi-tasking. If you're multi-tasking too then maybe you won't need this link.
Stress and Blood Pressure
Getting over-emotional when discussing a topic is not a good sign.

Quote Originally Posted by diogen_ View Post
AFAIK the deal with China hasn’t been finalized yet. The price ,etc. are negotiable, and only the framework agreement about sides’ intentions to build a second pipeline was signed, and some ballpark figures about the total size of the future deal were outline so far. Bloomberg believes it's American, Canadian, and Australian companies should complain, not the Russians. Hence, “Putin going on his knees” sounds like a pretty strong metaphor. What "expenses" specifically make you so unnerving about the deal?

Russia-China Gas Accord to Pressure LNG in Canada, Australia - Bloomberg
That explains a lot. I thought the Russia-China gas deal was being attacked, in the west, only because of jealousy but obviously there's more to it than just that.