Rapprochement with Russia? The conservative case

Hi All,

Despite the current frosty relationship between Russia and Britain , I still think that there needs to be a rapprochement with Russia, from a conservative/ realist / Machiavellian/Disraeli perspective. 

First let us face facts 

Russia has been and probably always will be led by an authoritarian government. Whether it was the Tsars , the Soviets or Putin, you won't ever get Russia to become London/  Californian liberals.

Once we've accepted this we must understand some other Russian viewpoints:

1.  After the fall of communism, rather than entering a capitalist golden age, Russia was basically sold ("raped")  to the lowest bidder, whether via  foreign investment or more accurately by the "oligarchs".  This occurred while the average Joe Russian citizen became even poorer than under the Soviets . Liberty , in the western sense didn't happen either..

2. Russia became surrounded by NATO and feels "encircled"

3. Russia like Britain and France feel that they are among the world's great powers, even as America and China overshadow this claim.  They do want to be treated as such. In short they are a proud people who want to be listened to.

Of course there are some hiccups to get over in Ukraine and Syria , closer to home the recent assassination attempt. 

I think we have to accept that Ukraine (half of it!) and Syria are within the Russian sphere of influence.  In respect of Ukraine Putin must be told "this far and no further".  As a realist ,I'm sure he will get the message.

In respect of Syria. Let them have it.  The country is, even after military success,  nothing but wasteland  rubble, it's people all over the place .  It will take a decade to rebuild, even without outside interference. I doubt Russia or Iran  will pay for this rebuilding, so it will remain weak for decades .  The Turks and Iranians will shortly come to blows and Russia's convenient allianz with Iran is just that. Sooner or later Iran and Assad are going to clash. You can't reconcile an Arab secular nationalist government with Iran's particular  and non Arab religious fundamentalism.  

Turkey will try to take more territory. Thus exposing Russia to a potential conflict with a NATO country (even better no European power is going to come to the Sultan's land grab, whatever the paper of the Atlantic treaty  says, but even better if the odious Sultan gets dragged into a Vietnam type situation) .  

I've been watching "star trek". If Russia are the Klingon empire , then we need to  agree to a "neutral Zone " ( i.e. Lebanon/ Ukraine)  then this will keep Israel happy or at least give Israel a free hand to deal with Hezbollah without Russian backing.  Iran Israel can deal with. Russia would be more difficult, but then Israel and Russian do NOT have to be adversaries. The Israeli population has a significant percentage of Jews who are Russian speakers.  Russia was the first to recognise Israel. Israel thrashed the Arabs who had hi tech Russian war machine , with French planes ( zut alors!) and knackered out British and American tanks (proving strategic and tactical thinking outweigh military technology).

As for the UK  , post Brexit we need to look for friends and or business partners. If we cannot be friends then we can be business partners with Russia. I have no beef with the people of Russia and I don't think they do either. In respect of the assassinations, maybe the dissidents could go to the Caribbean or some other tax haven. Or maybe we could have a gentlemen's agreement . But I think we need to pick our battles carefully. There are greater threats than Russia to the UK :  Russia hasn't threatened to dissolve and dissect the UK. What allies(EU) *cough*. Northern Ireland *cough*. (EU). Have?

I found this on the internet and I have no quarrel with such people..the lion and the bear can have a rapprochement. Or we'll have to kiss their assets back to Siberia.   Let us pray it doesn't happen.

And in any case Britain has claim on Russia via Queen Victoria.  Prince Harry and Meghan as Tsar and Tsarian of Russia?  LOL!  That'd be cool.