Western analysts are calling Russia’s attempts to orient its economy towards China a “vassalage”. This is purely based on perceived inequality between the two economies. It is true that the Chinese economy rivals that of the US, and Russia lags far behind.
However, when in the nineties, Russia was a resource appendage of the West, and imported everything from the West, including food, it was laughed at, and nobody dared to call this relationship a “vassalage”. So this nomenclature is nothing but pure semantics and cope.
Why is the same economic relationship with China that arguably has a better economy than Europe a “vassalage”, while we do not use the same terminology for a seemingly unequal relationship between Russia and Europe? One only wonders at the hypocrisy and lack of perspective these propagandists have.
On a similar note. Our Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala called the protesters at an anti-government rally, “a Russian fifth-column that would want the Czech Republic to become a vassal of Russia.” I don’t know but since 1991, when the last soviet forces left Czechoslovakia, we have seen nothing but warmth and light. If Russian gas, oil, nuclear fuel, and Russian tourists are a vassalage, I beg to differ. Those are things that bring warmth, light, and in the case of Russian tourists, jobs and money. Not to mention all the jobs that are powered by Russian energy.
However, I would say the relationship between the Czech Republic and United States is very much akin to vassalage. The Czech Republic is literally a US satrapy. We benefit from American military presence in Europe, our military is limited and always willingly provides troops for US led foreign missions, and our government enacts policies that are in tune with US policy but detrimental to our own interests.
Insomniac Resurrected 
Truth to be told, what Putin wants is simple: a balanced relationship between China and the West. I’d say originally, Putin was trying to establish a trading relationship with both China and the West, on top of some smaller players. That way, Russia gets to be benefited from all sides without taking the bullshit. However, as the West became increasingly off, with the out of touch liberals going on anti-Russia rampage and conservatives becoming more possessive with Russia – they claim they like Russia, but they seem to be slowly eliminating all Russia’s strategic partners or even important trading partners, or at least they try to. As all of those become more and more obvious, Russia has no choice but to side with China.
What the West is trying to do, is to perhaps hurt the ego of Russians, particularly the Russian nationalists. They’re using the talking point you mentioned to cause some kind of anger among Russian nationalists and hope they’ll think that Putin is turning Russia into a Chinese colony. Well, while I do see some effects, especially among those dumb asses on VK’s /pol/, the Russian policy makers or even those who’re matured, never fully bought into any of them. Russia is not some African country nor some Pacific Island country where they can manipulate the grumpy locals into causing an anti-China populist riot/uprising.
If the Western elites insist on trying to dominate Russia and want Russia to trade with the West and its colonies only, then Russia will steer further and further away from the West, to the point of absolute no return. If the Western elites know what’s good, then learn to take a step back and respect Putin’s decision on such matters and stop trying to manipulate the whole deal.
Really, the West has no one but itself to blame for the current Russia-China relationship, which few in the West want to see, but still do everything in their power to make it happen.
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Any Russian nationalist that comes out as anti-China bigot is a stooge of the hostile West. The only rational course for any Russian patriot is to recognise a friend from foe, and this stems from the understanding of Russia’s position in the World. Know yourself and you will know who fits best to be your friend.
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This is the exact same thing I’ve observed among some Chinese nationalists who belittle and even attack Russia from time to time. They serve little purpose other than for the West to manipulate them. They lack insight nor a vision, and only the blinded pride and anger, that’s their problems. The West LOVE such type of characters. It’s good that neither Putin nor Xi nor their inner circles are that dumb.
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