From what I can tell, when Russia via Gazprom attempts to buy gas networks in Europe, it may legitimately claim a double standard when the Europeans block it, but the Europeans can lay claim to a similar discriminatory policy when Gazprom refuses to allow European firms to develop Russian gas fields, as it has done. Add to this Russia's recent attempt to shut off gas supplies to the Ukraine, using the "gas tap" as a pressure tactic, and the West's distrust of Russia seems justified.
I suspect Putin's position on Iran is not so benign. Even if it were, I do not think Russia's ability to broker a peaceful resolution is as strong as our media would have us believe. "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon." Thomas Paine
Those that call for liberalisation, and go protectionist when it's on their turf, are just hypocrites, and Putin is right to point that out, and I wish French authorities would point it out more explicitly more often.
Blair says, I'm a liberaliser, I'm fine with foreign companies buying British ones, and you should be fine with foreign companies buying yours. Putin says: I won't open my market, but if you open yours, why wouldn't I take advantage of it (after all, it's to your advantage)?
(At least the Economist is coherent about this - they have always said that opening up British markets and companies was a good thing per se, even if it was not reciprocated).
Putin is taking advantage of the situation, but he is not inconsistent. Blair is inconsistent and hypocritical In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
I think it is a misconception to think that peace can be achieved through trade. Nations trade with each other in the hopes of making money. If a nation has aggressive ambitions, it will use the money it makes to fund those ambitions. Trading relationships are never enough to restrain it from aggressively pursuing its ambitions. As Konrad Adenauer said: "Trade is trade." "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon." Thomas Paine
It's all about tradeoffs, and we're adding to the negaotve ledge for Russia - for what I see as totalyl stupid and needless reasons, as Russia has no need and no reason to go in a gas war with their only client. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
I'd like a peaceful resolution to Iran and would like to know more about the leverage Russia has here. "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon." Thomas Paine
