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I think this is a fantastic idea...or was, fifteen years ago. Now? To counterbalance China? Over Taiwan?
Here's the truth. Putin went to Xi when things started getting dicy in Ukraine. Western backed aid has killed tens of thousands of Russians. If Xi launches his thousand ships against Taiwan, my guess is that Putin's aid is already locked in.
It might be possible that Putin (who I do think is a pro-Westerner by inclination) thinks he can get more of what he wants by being "reasonable" and ONCE AGAIN playing "reset" with the United States. And perhaps he has a preexisting understanding of sorts with Trump that he wants to honor. But I do not think the United States should make any compromises in the belief that it can neutralize Russia in the 2020s against China. Longer-term thinking, sure, that's fine, particularly with a consistent objective. But if China goes to war with Taiwan tomorrow, Russia probably has their back.
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