What, Russia Frustrated?

Isn't the Kremlin always frustrated whenever it steps outside its borders? Other countries simply don't take it sufficiently seriously. Russia says what it means and it means what it says. And when, for example, it says that Ukraine is guilty of siphoning off gas to benefit itself and short-change Europe, that's the unvarnished truth. As Vladimir Putin (et al) sees it.

That nasty little winter-time spat did not win Russia any closer ties with the European Union. Just Russia being Russia. And best to circumvent it whenever possible. Another reason for Russian rage, that a colossal investment is being made to build an improved and modernized pipeline through Ukraine, bypassing Russia's approval. Just what is the world's problem, anyway?

Now another insult flapped in the face of the Kremlin, with Britain's two-list Group of 20 members. And Russia doesn't appear on the "A" list. Whereas the emerging economies of China, India and Brazil are right up there, numero uno. Russia, by contrast, is listed with countries like Mexico, and that just isn't right, is it; downright insulting, in fact.

"There is frustration over these lists", according to an official in Russia's finance ministry, in a classic understatement. The new eruptions at Alaska's Mount Redoubt are likely tame in comparison to the fireworks that must have illuminated the atmosphere in the Kremlin, sending bitter ashes of Russian recrimination into the stratosphere, along with the stink of sulphuric aggrievement.

"There is a belief that Britain is trying to trivialize Russia's contribution at the G20 for political reasons at a time when the two countries have found much common ground on economic issues" grumbled the Russian official. Good thing for Britain it isn't dependent on Russian oil or gas to heat those draughty halls of Parliament, wot?

Russia's determination to isolate the United States, with its call for increased and ongoing stimulus packages, when Europe wants no more of them, and would prefer to focus on strengthening existing faulty financial regulations is falling on dastardly unco-operative ears, and that makes the Kremlin mighty mad.

After all, if the U.S. gets the heave-ho as the world's financial leader, why not think of enshrining Russia as the new, and ever-so trustworthy international financial leader. It's the United States that is guilty of "economic egotism", according to the Kremlin, and Russia is simply trying to do the world a favour.