[Zhang Fei]

Unless Putin is delusional (which I think he is not), he realizes that Russia's prestige is only based on untapped hydrocarbon and a stack of ICBMs. He has to realize that he does not have the infrastructure to be "the" dominant world power anytime soon. China is the real threat in that department.

If Putin shared your assumptions, he would have moved his entire military to the Chinese border instead of smacking around former Russian possessions that pose no threat to him. Never assume that your opposite number thinks the way you do.

[catfish1957]

If Putin shared your assumptions, he would have moved his entire military to the Chinese border instead of smacking around former Russian possessions that pose no threat to him. Never assume that your opposite number thinks the way you do

Putin's smarter than trying to confront the Chicoms. That's why the events like the pipeline treaty have been taking place. In a 100 years will this be viewed as appeasement?, I have no idea.

You also missed the point. Putin has no PR to gain by poking a stick at the Chinese. I think his strategy is a slow growth of possessions, at little risk. This will be finally tempered when the west finally confronts the moves, or at the point to triggering an expansive war.