Trump is preparing to give Russia exactly what it wants: unlimited cash and a broken NATO

Rss@dailykos.com (mark Sumner) · Monday, January 16, 2017, 11:36 am

Donald Trump continues to insist that the contents of the recently-revealed kompromat dossier are completely “fake.” He’s whined about networks for reporting it and about intelligence agencies for supposedly releasing it, while pointing at statements from the Kremlin as “evidence” that it’s not true. But oddly enough, while saying the Russians really don’t have a big folder full of things Trump has done that are so bad even a Trump voter might care, Trump has been living up to the other half of that dossier—the half that has all the things the Russians want from Trump.

Donald Trump has given his clearest indication yet that he is ready to ease sanctions on Russia and usher in a new era between the US and its longtime foe. ...

He also reiterated his view that NATO is "obsolete" -- a stance that was endorsed on Monday by the Kremlin.

Russia’s expansion plans are currently checked by a simple lack of cash. The drop in the price of oil has left Vladimir Putin without the ready funds to fuel his single-product kleptocracy, and the increasing availability of natural gas has reduced his ability to lean on Europe. The invasions of Ukraine and Russian actions in Syria have been costly, with every ruble expended there increasing Putin’s difficulties at home. To keep his government afloat, Putin recently sold off 20 percent of the state-owned oil company to cover short-term bills.

However, there’s one deal on the table that could almost instantly restore Putin's strength.

Exxon has been working directly with Russia to secure drilling rights in previously virgin areas of the high Arctic. It’s a deal that earned Tillerson the “Order of Friendship” medal in 2012—the highest award Russia gives to non-citizens. ...

Those deals, valued at between $500 billion and $1 trillion, are at risk because of US sanctions against Russian officials that were imposed after Russia’s invasion of Crimea and other areas in Ukraine.

Source
http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/QL-jcw5qyxU/-Trump-is-preparing-to-give-Russia-exactly-what-it-wants-unlimited-cash-and-a-broken-NATO