Miss Merkel does not trust US and the Brits. She feels the Brits are too
closely allied with US and often they just follow.
Latest I have heard is that she has rejected kicking out Russia from the G8.
BTW if every time something happens in the international arena the shout goes
out to freeze Bank accounts people will get pretty smart and stop bringing
their money into the US.
In the long run certain isolation is good for Russia. It gives Russia a chance
to develop internally. Russia is huge, spanning several time zones. However
the Oligarchs are more interested in sending their money abroad instead of
investing it internally. "Isolation" might spur internal investment.
Putin, because of his strong connect to the security organs was powerful
enough to get them (the Oligarchs) to pay tax. Mfers did not want to pay
tax...one percent clique!
