Matthias Meier

Beijing is already planning for a post-Putin Russia. A major investigation by The Wall Street Journal reveals that China is quietly expanding its political and institutional ties far beyond Putin’s inner circle, directly targeting the rising elites who will shape Russia's future. The asymmetric reality of the "no-limits" partnership: Deepening Dependence: China now controls nearly 40% of Russia's foreign trade (up from 10% in 2013), while Russia accounts for less than 4% of China's global trade. Silent Infiltration: Chinese intelligence and recruitment of mid-level Russian officials are skyrocketing. The Kremlin is forced to swallow the humiliation in absolute silence, terrified of upsetting Beijing. The Vassal State: Beijing is bleeding Russia dry on energy deals, demanding gas at heavily subsidized domestic prices while blocking major projects like Power of Siberia 2 until Moscow bows to their terms. As Alexander Gabuev (Director of Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center) notes, China has the perfect opportunity to turn Russia into a "giant Laos or a giant Pakistan"—a deeply dependent supplier subordinated to Chinese strategic interests. Putin thought he was fighting to restore a multipolar empire. Instead, he fast-tracked Russia’s transition into a client state for Beijing. 🇨🇳🇷🇺📉 #ChinaRussia #PostPutin #Geopolitics #WSJ #WarEconomy #StrategicVassal

Der "Schwarze Peter" ist ein SCHORNSTEINFEGER, ihr trostlosen Dorfkasper. nzz.ch/zuerich/eine-k…

"China didn't cut its [oil] consumptions dramatically; China cut its imports dramatically. I think that's what folks are not paying attention to". @pickeringenergy to @JDBlum23 "But Pickering is more focused on China than Iran. That's because China emerged as the so-called swing importer, cutting its world-leading oil imports by roughly 5 million barrels a day and leaning on its oil and fuel strategic reserves that also lead the world..." #oott fortune.com/2026/07/12/tru…

Putin has started dismantling the Rotenberg empire. Arkady Rotenberg has lost direct access to the president, causing his structures to rapidly lose protection within state corporations and federal agencies. The oligarch himself has not appeared in his Moscow office for over a month and remains unavailable even to his inner circle. Boris Rotenberg has also not been seen in Russia for a long time. The main blow hit road construction, Russian Railways contracts, and port assets. Group companies have accumulated massive debts to subcontractors and are delaying salaries, with no new funding promised until the end of the year. Following the arrests of top managers and Ilya Traber, the Rotenbergs lost the key personnel who managed projects and handled relations with state structures. Major road contracts are being prepared for transfer to structures linked to Marat Khusnullin. His appointees already hold key positions in relevant agencies and can swiftly replace Rotenberg’s people. Assets, machinery, and subcontractors for the Dzhubga—Sochi project are also gradually shifting to the control of this new group. The remaining parts of the business will be divided among the Kovalchuks, Bokarev, and Mahmudov. In the coming months, the Rotenbergs may lose port terminals, construction companies, and access to new state contracts. The Presidential Administration is preparing to replace their personnel in state companies, leaving nothing of the former empire except sports projects and isolated assets unconnected to state budget contracts. #Putin #Russia Putin has started dismantling the Rotenberg empire. Arkady Rotenberg has lost direct access to the president, causing his structures to rapidly lose protection within state corporations and federal agencies. The oligarch himself has not appeared in his Moscow office for over a month and remains unavailable even to his inner circle. Boris Rotenberg has also not been seen in Russia for a long time. The main blow hit road construction, Russian Railways contracts, and port assets. Group companies have accumulated massive debts to subcontractors and are delaying salaries, with no new funding promised until the end of the year. Following the arrests of top managers and Ilya Traber, the Rotenbergs lost the key personnel who managed projects and handled relations with state structures. Major road contracts are being prepared for transfer to structures linked to Marat Khusnullin. His appointees already hold key positions in relevant agencies and can swiftly replace Rotenberg’s people. Assets, machinery, and subcontractors for the Dzhubga—Sochi project are also gradually shifting to the control of this new group. The remaining parts of the business will be divided among the Kovalchuks, Bokarev, and Mahmudov. In the coming months, the Rotenbergs may lose port terminals, construction companies, and access to new state contracts. The Presidential Administration is preparing to replace their personnel in state companies, leaving nothing of the former empire except sports projects and isolated assets unconnected to state budget contract #Kremlin #RussianOligarchs #InsideRussia