[goldstategop]

The Russians can ignore the West because of two things: they hold the veto in the UN Security Council and most important, they have nuclear weapons. Nobody and I mean nobody - shoves The Bear around!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[brydic1]

And even more importantly, they have the power to make Europe freeze this winter. This power is almost overwhelming and can not be countered with their almost total dependence on Russian oil and natural gas.