"The story of gas
Political analysts say the world’s growing demand for Russian oil and gas saved the Soviet regime from its natural collapse and prolonged the life of the Soviet empire until 1991.
Though true as it may be, it was that demand that contributed to Russia’s successful integration into the Western economy and resulted in establishing sound relations built on cooperation with such countries as Germany and Italy and to build potential strong enough to withstand the collapse of the Soviet Union and to continue developing further."
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