Pavel Shipillin — All aboard the Lisbon to Vladivostok train, no stops in Kiev or Warsaw

More follow the money. Spheres of political influence are also spheres of economic influence.

A geopolitical game between the superpowers has become the main, and only cause of the Maidan. This same game has plunged the former brotherly country into an economic abyss, a crises which the Ukraine cannot get out of. The Ukrainians are standing shoulder to shoulder in between Russia and Europe, and are completely confident that they must sacrifice themselves so that in far away America the standard of living, god forbid, does not decrease.

Not only does the United States intend to extract gas from Ukraine and transport it across the ocean, but also to extract shale deposits in Poland and in the Ukraine, along the way destroying the native ecologies in these countries. In addition, the still wealthy European market has been buying produce overseas, and that should help the distressed American economy in staying afloat. Thus, the purpose of TTIP is to save the US at the expense of the local European population.

Of course, for this the Europeans must abandon their dangerous goals and thoughts of trading in the East via Russia and China. And I would have to say, that first in line is China, and then only us [Russia]. The "Hate Belt" is primarily created so that China would sit quietly at the edge of the world and not contemplate about a New Silk Road - an overland corridor through Kazakhstan and Russia, through which goods can be delivered to the expensive markets in Europe. [Which everyone is after. This is a key geopolitical idea, superpowers interfering with each other's plans to keep important and profitable markets in their own hands and not their competitors - tr.]

Following the same thread, the sea route through which China trades with the West and receives energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, is securely controlled by the U.S. Navy. The narrow aquatic necks of Hormuz, the Malacca Straits, and the Suez canal can be easily closed or embargoed. China is trying to counter American influence in the sea in the Indian Ocean. Yet it is clearly not enough, and the U.S. will keep an eye out for strengthening of its main geopolitical rival, China, in the region. And it seems, will not allow that at all costs.

Not only does the United States intend to extract gas from Ukraine and transport it across the ocean, but also to extract shale deposits in Poland and in the Ukraine, along the way destroying the native ecologies in these countries. In addition, the still wealthy European market has been buying produce overseas, and that should help the distressed American economy in staying afloat. Thus, the purpose of TTIP is to save the US at the expense of the local European population.

Of course, for this the Europeans must abandon their dangerous goals and thoughts of trading in the East via Russia and China. And I would have to say, that first in line is China, and then only us. The "Hate Belt" is primarily created so that China would sit quietly at the edge of the world and not contemplate about a New Silk Road - an overland corridor through Kazakhstan and Russia, through which goods can be delivered to the expensive markets in Europe. [Which everyone is after. This is a key geopolitical idea, superpowers interfering with each other's plans to keep important and profitable markets in their own hands and not their competitors - tr.]

Following the same thread, the sea route through which China trades with the West and receives energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, is securely controlled by the U.S. Navy. The narrow aquatic necks of Hormuz, the Malacca Straits, and the Suez canal can be easily closed or embargoed. China is trying to counter American influence in the sea in the Indian Ocean. Yet it is clearly not enough, and the U.S. will keep an eye out for strengthening of its main geopolitical rival, China, in the region. And it seems, will not allow that at all costs.

Fort Russ
All aboard the Lisbon to Vladivostok train, no stops in Kiev or Warsaw
Pavel Shipillin
Translated from Russian by Dvajdsitdva

Original
PolitRussia.com