There’s an interesting post at Geopolitical Futures by Kamran Bokhari on the reactions of Poland, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to the “new reality” in U. S.-Russian relations:
Though still in its early stages, forged U.S.-Russia diplomacy has compelled several nations on Russia’s periphery to rethink some of their strategic positions. Poland, Turkey and Azerbaijan, for example, are preparing for a reality in which Washington and Moscow reach some kind of accommodation, as all three, to varying degrees, face uncertainty in their respective strategic environments. Each can be expected to act unconventionally in the hopes of making it through this major emerging shift.
The reactions of the three countries appear to differ slightly but they have something in common: all appear to be seizing the opportunity.
My own view is that I think it’s too early to tell what is actually going on. I’m not as convinced that an actual rapprochement between Russia and the U. S. is actually under way as Dr. Bohkari seems to be.
After the disaster in the Oval Office today, a major realignment of international relations might happen. At the very least, the US might insist on the removal of the Banderite regime, all of it. Zelenskyy, all the major official in his government, all members of the Rada, and all senior military officers. The US might actually abandon Ukraine, and let the Russians do with it what they will.
PS. No deals were signed today. Just as well, because the storied mineral deposits don’t exist. It’s a neocon/Pentagon scam, intended to prolong the war. They ran the same scam in Afghanistan—no vast mineral deposits there, either.
bob sykes:
I don’t know whether they exist or not. I do know that they exist here. We’ve regulated our production of rare earths almost out of existence.