Andrey GANDJA – Independent analyst and researcher

Watching the events taking place in Ukraine today, I recall the Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, the film I believe to be a real masterpiece. The story follows the adventures of Dr. Bill Harford, who does not know if he lives in real world or it’s just a dream. That’s what is happening with the ruling group in Kiev which perceives as reality only the information than meets their wishes. The hired media outlets instill this perception in the society. One day the people will bounce back and see the real world. Then it may be very painful to realize that those who yesterday called themselves the government have left the country deceived, devastated and divided… 

True, the illegal government in Kiev may reassure itself strong in its belief that it has become the West’s darling. If it really has! Some time ago Yakov Kedmi, the former head of Israeli organization Nativ, displayed its inherent humor stressing that if the US or Europe were ready to lend a helping hand to Ukraine they would need to draw a cheque, but before that they should make the payment to Greece ($40 billion – added by the author) and if they cannot afford it all, then they should not raise all this fuss as their readiness to help is nothing but an empty sound. Afford it? No, they can’t…The 11 billion that Europe has been promising for already seven years is not a real aid package. Under the circumstances it is more like a bonus for imperishable Ukrainian corrupted officialdom!

 But Europe and America are masters of making real loud noise while Ukrainian TV channels instill the perception that Russia is an “imperialist” state which is universally condemned for its policy on Ukraine. They inculcate people with the notion that Ukraine gets world support “from Norway to Japan”. It’s true about Norway and partially true in case of Japan which expresses its support with some reservations. But there are other things of much more interest for Russia than the stances taken by the governments of these states. True, Russia comes under harsh criticism, mainly from the US, Great Britain and the continental European Union, though it’s all not that simple. Take Germany, for instance. Some time ago Gregor Gysi, key politician of the socialist left-wing political party the Left, spoke in Bundestag saying to Chancellor Angela Merkel that Europe gets what it deserves because it broke the promise given to Moscow some time ago not to expand the European Union to the East. 

There is another story of interest. Sahra Wagenknecht, an MP, sent a letter to the government about the Ukrainian regime hindering the investigation of innocent people killed during the Maidan protests by “unknown snipers”. The federal government responded that it has no information of its own about who is responsible for killing Maidan protesters and policemen. One does not have to be a diplomat to realize that the reply of the German government leaves wiggle room on changing the stance on Ukraine. At that, the opinion of Berlin it not the most important thing now. 

 China does not oppose Russia. The Kiev regime should not find relief in the fact that China does not rush to publicly endorse Moscow on Crimea. China never makes haste, especially when it comes to the events that shape history. Chinese know how to make calculations and outlooks for the future, say after 50, 100 and more years. Under the circumstances the Chinese government will take its time. China abstained as the UN Security Council voted on Crimea, but it voiced its intention to have the US $ 1,2 trillion debt be repaid in gold if the pressure on Russia continued. China let know Turkey it would oppose a permission to US aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush to pass the Bosporus. China said the US and the EU attempts to encircle and isolate Russia made Crimea become part of the Russian Federation (Xinhua March 19 editorial). 

India does not oppose Russia’s actions. On March 17 Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The both parties agreed to cement strategic partnership. After the conversation Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, said, “Russia has legitimate interests in Ukraine related to security and minorities.” In the language of diplomacy it means Delhi approved the Russia’s policy on Ukraine. 

Iran does not oppose Russia. Moscow and Iran plan to greatly expand economic cooperation. Russia will buy Iran’s oil in exchange for goods and equipment. The major part of Iran’s oil will go through the Russian territory till the agreement expires. Experts believe that the oil will not be exported, instead Russia will buy it wholesale (according to the agreement on high-tech and other commodities under US sanctions) to make it be transported to traditional buyers straight from Iranian ports as Russian property. This agreement has been in works since a long time ago. Lukoil officials visited Odessa a year ago to offer “Nefetegavan, Odessa port – oil pipeline – Odessa oil refinery” project. It was planned to use the oil coming from Iran. The plans for the project were frustrated because the Yanukovych “family” decided to give the refineries to its “crony” Sergey Kurchenko. As the events unfold, Iranian oil will come to Russia; the project will be implemented in Crimea. 

Meanwhile Russia compensates what it loses as a result of European sanctions by making big strides in the direction of Greater Middle East which consists of such states as China, India, Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan. The project is similar to the Great Silk Road that Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about in Astana last year which is to include 18 countries with the population of 3, 2 billion. As to trade turnout index, it makes it a good alternative to the European Union. President Putin is going to visit China in May, there is a good chance the parties will sign a large-scale gas deal. 

We witness as new transport routes and global markets appear in the world. The Kiev regime with his eyes wide shut is rushing to the embrace of the European Union while plunging in the chaos of nationalism going wild. Those in the West who support this regime have their eyes wide shut too. No international isolation threatens Russia with its “Greater Middle East” partners. It means Russia will be adamant in its intent to protect all Russian and Russian speaking population in Ukraine from the Nazi aggression under the Bandera banners.