As expected, and what I said would happen when western countries pulled out. China stepping in to fill the void.
There’s filling the void and then there’s “filling the void.” I keep getting these china is acting as a benefactor to the Russians vibes from you. I’m telling you, if Russia doesn’t find some way to re enter the western market, Russia will become dominated by the Chinese.
And thats bad news for the US. The US is a declining power, China is rising. Withdrawing economically from Russia and handing it to China, only further speeds up the economic decline of the US and the rise of China.
I have no idea what "vibes" you are getting from me, nor do I care. What I said was obvious and is coming to pass. China will step in to fill the void. As to what that means for Russia, it means unilateral trade. I'm not saying it is good, bad or indifferent - as those are subjective. All I'm saying is what will happen. If you want to take a shot at understanding more, here is a good read for you that is fresh off the presses of the Mighty Zoltan.
So I would push back on the US is in a state of decline. In a lot of ways the US is stronger than ever but comparatively, especially in economics, competitors like China have increased in strength. The point I’m trying to make is that the US didn’t “fall off” its that China has “stepped up.” There was a point when the US made up 40% of global gdp, now it’s only 20%. But that is not because we are less economically strong but because other countries have grown. As was demonstrated with Russia, the strength of the US is being a leader in the western world. When western countries pull together we can dominate. Also, don’t write the US off, we are still the worlds only true superpower and our economy is diverse and a juggernaut. It’s still better to be the US than any other country.
Ok. Well you were a little late on the forum when you first stated the Chinese would fill the void, we all collectively worked that out. The issue we are on is the end result. You say neither good, bad, indifferent- I don’t. I say “bad”. You’ll note I have remarked many days ago that Putin started out trying to make Ukraine a vassal of Russia and may end out making Russia a vassal of China. Hence, why I wrote “as predicted.”
Approximately 40k foreign fighters (military and ex military) have made it to Kyiv. So many Canadians, they gave them their own unit (500 and growing).
This is Giorgi Dzhangirian, former President of the Ukrainian Rugby Union, 83 years old, defending his country.