By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Washington Post talks about the global partners of Putin in an article "Putin visit to Hungary shows he still has friends in Europe" Against the background of the growing authority of the Russian Federation in a number of countries of the East, Europe is beginning to worry about their partners. Leaders in Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are more and more inclined to support Russia, in view of the economic challenges that they face because of sanctions.
For a number of Eastern European governments it is much easier to identify themselves with the certain political, albeit difficult, course of the Russian Federation than with the complex, messy and sometimes painful way of Western-style democracy.
For Hungary, the relationship with Russia is much more profitable in terms of economic development than with an undecided Europe. Moscow, in its turn, must prove to the world that not all European countries are negatively tuned towards Russia.
Another Eastern European country, Serbia, has not yet acceded to the sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from the West. Even in Poland, though having a difficult relationship with Russia, some political forces insist on dialogue, which should replace confrontation.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic do not consider the possibility of placing NATO complexes on their territories, so a political rapprochement with Russia is possible, and it will be very useful for these countries. Thus, within the European community there is a rift that could play into the hands of the Russian Federation. The question remains: how will Russia take advantage of this situation?
American flagship the New York Times writes today about China's interests in Iran in the article "China's Foreign Minister Pushes Iran on Nuclear Deal". Against the background of lengthy and not entirely successful negotiations between Iran and Western powers over its nuclear program, China unexpectedly issued a statement on its position on this issue. The Chinese Foreign Minister calls on Iran to come to an agreement as soon as possible. First of all, it is beneficial for China in terms of the development of economic relations with Iran. The aim of the negotiations is to deter Iran's nuclear program, which is not quite satisfying for the leadership of Iran. China, in turn, is trying in every way to stimulate the country, offering lucrative contracts and partnerships in many sectors of the economy.
Another article in the New York Times is devoted to Kazakhstan, or more precisely, the prolongation of the existing political regime led by President Nursultan Nazarbaev, titled "Kazakh Ruling Party Wants to Extend Nazarbayev's 26-Year Reign". 74-year-old Nazarbayev, a former employee of the steel industry, who is popularly known as "Papa", has ruled the country since 1989, a country which for twenty years was able to occupy a leading position in the East. Recently, the country's leader expressed the desire to extend his term for another five years, which, he said, would be the most appropriate time, which will help the country to overcome the economic difficulties associated with low oil prices and the crisis in Russia. Being a trade and political ally of Russia, Nazarbayev at the same time favors market reforms and seeks ways of attracting foreign capital to the country. In addition, he manages to maintain the religious and ethnic stability of the nation, which many world countries could learn from.
