The state of things on the ground in Russia is different to those along the airwaves. This is the sentiment that many professional Russians have if it comes to Western media.
They’re proud of their country’s fortunes.
They believe that recent progress in business and particularly in the energy sector has strengthened their claim to being a future-focused, successful State.
The longevity of their hopes is found in recent moves to also forge direct links to others. It’s seen in meetings between Russian state and Chinese state representatives.
It’s also now coming through slowly in its own news.
The reporting by TASS (a Russian news agency) that Gazprom is selling high amounts of gas to China via its new Power of Siberia pipeline tells us more about its ambitions, and influence.
The fact is, Russia can and will look elswhere.
While it may be a policy of shutdown or denial that Russia faces in the West, it can challenge a showdown with America by continuing to build on its regional significance.
