The communists never do anything without aggression in mind. I have to wonder if NATO will continue its support for the war if not included in the talks. It cannot be ignored that the Chinese are not only trying to change the world's favored currency, but, the definition of words. I haven't seen the new Chinese dictionary, but, the word sovereignty must mean "only of communist possession."
By Simone McCarthy
Lu Shaye, (click here) China’s ambassador to France, in 2019. On French television on Friday, he said post-Soviet nations “do not have an effective status in international law.”
European countries (click here) are demanding answers from Beijing after its top diplomat in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet republics, in comments that could undermine China’s efforts to be seen as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
The remarks by China’s ambassador to France Lu Shaye, who said during a television interview that former Soviet countries don’t have “effective status in international law,” have caused diplomatic consternation, especially in the Baltic states....
European countries (click here) are demanding answers from Beijing after its top diplomat in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet republics, in comments that could undermine China’s efforts to be seen as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
The remarks by China’s ambassador to France Lu Shaye, who said during a television interview that former Soviet countries don’t have “effective status in international law,” have caused diplomatic consternation, especially in the Baltic states....
Good cop, bad cop. Macron should tell everyone how it feels to shake hands with Xi only to have the Chinese ambassador stick a knife in his back. XI put his might on display for intimidation, not review.
Nationalizing assets is not a sign peace is breaking wide open.
By Alexander Marrow
The Kremlin said (click here) on Wednesday it could seize more Western assets in retaliation for foreign moves against Russian companies, after taking temporary control of assets belonging to two European state-owned utilities.
President Vladimir Putin late on Tuesday signed a decree placing the Russian assets of Finland's Fortum (FORTUM.HE) and Germany's Uniper (UN01.DE), which both operate power plants in Russia, under Moscow's control. Russia made clear that the move could be reversed....
Fortum is the parent company of Uniper (click here). This is more than sanctions. They are not the same thing. If Russia continues it's aggression against Europe's energy sector and tries to impact it's economy more, NATO needs to think about bringing Russian companies and properties into nationalized status. This is a highly aggressive move by Russia. I don't see Xi complaining it is impacting his peace proposals.
The financial sector of the Free World made it's money a long time ago on it's assets. Being able to sell the Russian investments is more or less an added bonus. I am sure all NATO governments are looking at the cost to companies of exiting Russia peacefully. To be completely honest, every CEO should take these events with Russia seriously and should always have been prepared for a change in wind in communist countries regardless the current stability. Foreign investments outside of allies is risky business.
