Yes its becoming desperate. Added to this with China becoming a larger consumer of energy and insisting on a parcel of currencies to trade by arm twisting the Sawdie's last week has made things more intense as the US flails around imposing sanctions (or refusing waivers) on anyone dealing with Iran (India and Japan) while trying to sanction China in the process.
Russia can easily turn off the gas tap to the EU when the contracts expire so all the allies like Japan are trying to do their own deals.
I say buy gold, oil and gas companies with little debt.
