Putin's opportunity

[JimC]

If I were Putin, I would be looking at the Greek crisis as a huge opportunity. I would fly to Athens, offer millions in immediate aid, plus long term, very low interest loans and anything else the Greeks wished.

In return, they leave NATO, vote as required in the UN, and allow the construction of Russian air and naval bases. No more pesky choke point at the Bosphorus...

[cronus]

If I were Putin, I would be looking at the Greek crisis as a huge opportunity. I would fly to Athens, offer millions in immediate aid, plus long term, very low interest loans and anything else the Greeks wished.

In return, they leave NATO, vote as required in the UN, and allow the construction of Russian air and naval bases. No more pesky choke point at the Bosphorus...

Softly-softly and slowly-slowly. Don't want the Americans to offer Greece aid first and even larger than Russia can afford. Meanwhile the Greeks are realizing they really have got the world by the balls....

[Blind groper]

Jim is correct, and it has been reported already that Russia has been talking to Greece.

You need to remember, though, that the Greek debt is 200 billion Euro. Even Putin might choke at that sum. Also, the Greeks are not such total idiots as to give too much back in return for a little aid. However, if Putin were to offer the 200 billion I suspect the Greeks would roll over and present their collective genitals, and say "Take me. I am yours.".

[JimC]

Perhaps a US/Russia bidding war?

[pErvinalia]

If I were Putin, I would be looking at the Greek crisis as a huge opportunity. I would fly to Athens, offer millions in immediate aid, plus long term, very low interest loans and anything else the Greeks wished.

In return, they leave NATO, vote as required in the UN, and allow the construction of Russian air and naval bases. No more pesky choke point at the Bosphorus...

Yeah, I've been worried about the same thing. But I think Syriza are proper democrats and would despise any influence from the Russians. I certainly hope so. Perhaps they can get some funding from China or Scandinavia. Dunno. Just not Russia.

[JimC]

If I were Putin, I would be looking at the Greek crisis as a huge opportunity. I would fly to Athens, offer millions in immediate aid, plus long term, very low interest loans and anything else the Greeks wished.

In return, they leave NATO, vote as required in the UN, and allow the construction of Russian air and naval bases. No more pesky choke point at the Bosphorus...

Yeah, I've been worried about the same thing. But I think Syriza are proper democrats and would despise any influence from the Russians. I certainly hope so. Perhaps they can get some funding from China and South America. Dunno. Just not Russia.

I doubt South American companies have the cash required. China is a possibility, but it would want the same sort of political support as Russia, and possibly military bases as well. Syriza may be "proper democrats", but needs must when the devil drives...

[pErvinalia]

I changed Sth Am to Scandinavia. I figure the SA's don't have much to spend. China will of course attach conditions, but it's a more progressive state than Russia. Russia is basically a giant criminal organisation. I hope Greece stays well away from them.

[JimC]

rEvolutionist wrote:

China will of course attach conditions, but it's a more progressive state than Russia.

Seriously?

Their systems are different, but they are both dangerous, undemocratic and ruled with an iron fist.

Was Stalin's Soviet Union more progressive than Nazi Germany?

[Svartalf]

Russia has a lot of religious history and culture in common with Greece

[JimC]

Russia has a lot of religious history and culture in common with Greece

Good point. Putin would play up the Orthodox connection for all it's worth...

[pErvinalia]

rEvolutionist wrote:

China will of course attach conditions, but it's a more progressive state than Russia.

Seriously?

Their systems are different, but they are both dangerous, undemocratic and ruled with an iron fist.

Was Stalin's Soviet Union more progressive than Nazi Germany?

China is about forging economic partnerships. Russia is about pure authoritarianism and corruption. China is no social saint, but they will support people if it is in their economic interest.

[JimC]

So will Putin's Russia. It's all about Realpolitik...

[pErvinalia]

Not with Putin. He's a megalomaniac. The Chinese leadership worships economic growth, not themselves, like Putin.

[pErvinalia]

Basically, you are saying you'd be just as happy to have Russian investment in Australia as Chinese investment. Crazy talk!

[JimC]

Basically, you are saying you'd be just as happy to have Russian investment in Australia as Chinese investment. Crazy talk!

I'm happy with neither. In this thread, I'm assessing power politics at an international level, without moral judgements. Accepting either Russian or Chinese solutions would have consequences for Greece; in some ways, it is hard to predict which would be worse, or whether letting Germany continue to fuck them over would be worse still...