afew: 'Russia is looking east, Dobbin tells us, but (further on) is ideally placed to detach Germany from Europe and the US. Er, East or West?'
Well, the assertion is that Russia is shifting its focus for energy sales to China and other Asian countries and that this will make it less dependent on sales to Europe. And it is China that is described as looking west and signing a 'New Silk Road' type agreement with Germany. But Russia's increased trade with China would undermine a potential dollar squeeze by the USA on Russia while an alternate settlement system would make economic sanctions largely irrelevant.

Meanwhile Germans have significant foreign direct investments in Russia and German businessmen have been at pains to reassure Russia about Germany's commitment to making good on what are, effectively, large sunk investments - according to a recent PBS Newshour report. Also, Russia, China and India have ongoing planning for an oil pipeline to India.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."