Xi declined Putin invitation to visit Moscow. No surprise as China still fuming over Putin’s march into Kazakhstan early this year. Kazakhstan holds nearly 5% of global oil reserves ultra-rich in iron ore, uranium, yet has a relatively low per capita GDP in the region. They were held poor by former Putin puppet President Nazarbayev with his green energy mantra did not want the wealth to be explored to let Russia hold its European monopoly was also receiving massive bribes from green energy companies. China tried its hand bribing Nazarbayev for investments with some success yet could not cut-out Putin. New president who declined to recognise Donbas in recent St.Petersburg summit and donated Ukraine with large loads of medicine recently seems to be moving away from the imperial madman.
Good chance the Chinese cash coming out of recent asset sales at NY Exchange will end up in central Asia, particularly Azerbaijan, instead of Russian sites vacated by western oil companies. Economically China could gain a lot more by conquering central/north Asia than south China sea region. Whatever happens, future doesn’t look bright for Putin in central Asia.
Is the pull-out of Russian troops from Finland border a maneuver to bolster eastern borders? Is there another war looming on the horizon for Putin? Xi wouldn’t get a better opportunity as the Russians are currently bogged down in Uki mud and without Chinese support Russian economy is sure to sink. Putin’s imperial ambitions not looking that great.
