What is Russia, represented by Shoigu, seeking in China?

But something else is no less interesting: in recent months, Shoigu, though he held a comfortable position, was clearly in serious disgrace (a week ago, he once again failed to push through the appointment of his chosen senator in his native Tuva, and the local, loyal parliament ‘rebelled’ against him).

And now we come to the most intriguing part: why, during a possible negotiation with Trump, would Putin send this, without exaggeration, clown with no real powers to Beijing?

• This seems like an insult to China, a kind of complex gesture toward the Americans, showing a lowered status of the negotiator.  
• If this was China’s demand to send Shoigu specifically (just as Putin once appointed Medvedchuk as a negotiator for us), then it’s an embarrassment for Putin.  
• It seems Shoigu has had a revival and is back in favor again.

Which of these options is correct, we’ll soon be able to find out.

Source

About the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.

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