Russia can make a grand gift to Kazakhstan
It is likely that the construction of the Crimean bridge is far from the last grandiose construction project in Russia. They didn’t have time to start moving along it, but they are already talking about the start of the construction of another bridge that will connect Sakhalin Island with the mainland.
And after the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Council, held on May 14 in Sochi, the idea of building the Eurasia shipping channel, which connects the Caspian Sea with the Azov-Black Sea basin, arose. This topic was raised by the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. He stated that the project will be beneficial for the states of the region and will revive the cooling relations between the EAEU countries.
The essence of the project
We are talking about a channel with a length of about 900 kilometers, which stretches from the Caspian Sea to the Taganrog Bay or the port of Azov through the entire Southern Federal District. This route is approximately half the length of the route through the mouth of the Volga, the Volga-Don Canal and the Don. In addition, the new project has more bandwidth than the previous one. If the Volga-Don Canal is capable of passing up to 16 million tons per year, then through the Eurasia Canal it will be possible to drive up to 45 million tons of various cargoes.
The expected cost of construction, according to various sources, ranges from 6 to 15 billion US dollars.
Who benefits?
Undoubtedly, the project is extremely beneficial to Kazakhstan. After all, he receives the transit of goods from China to European countries. Thus, he becomes the largest intermediary not only between Russia and China, but also between China and Europe. This should regularly bring billions of US dollars to the treasury of Kazakhstan.
As for Russia, we will not receive such dividends from the construction of the canal.
Firstly, another transit route for Chinese goods will not bring additional benefits. Part of the flow that went through the Trans-Siberian Railway will be redirected along the new route, that is, it will decrease in one place and increase in another.
Increasing the cargo capacity of the water route for Russia is not too relevant. River transport in our country is very poorly involved, and the Volga-Don Canal patency is enough for our needs “with a head”.
There are also a number of environmental and economic factors. For example, it will be necessary to flood part of the fertile land involved in agricultural production. In addition, the route will cross railways, highways and other communications, that is, bridges will have to be built. The new construction will also upset the ecological balance.
Almost the only plus of the project for Russia is the return of Kazakhstan to the orbit of Russia's interests. After all, only the blind could not fail to notice the gradual drift of this country towards the West. This is the introduction of the Latin alphabet, and participation in American military logistics, and much more.
But with the help of this channel, which will bring serious income to Kazakhstan and strengthen its influence in the region, Russia can be sure of the loyalty of its ally.
One wonders whether the new agreements between Kazakhstan and the United States and the demonstrative cooling of relations with Russia were part of Nazarbayev’s ingenious plan in order to push the leadership of our country to sign an agreement favorable to Kazakhstan on the construction of the Eurasia shipping channel?
And after the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Council, held on May 14 in Sochi, the idea of building the Eurasia shipping channel, which connects the Caspian Sea with the Azov-Black Sea basin, arose. This topic was raised by the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. He stated that the project will be beneficial for the states of the region and will revive the cooling relations between the EAEU countries.
The essence of the project
We are talking about a channel with a length of about 900 kilometers, which stretches from the Caspian Sea to the Taganrog Bay or the port of Azov through the entire Southern Federal District. This route is approximately half the length of the route through the mouth of the Volga, the Volga-Don Canal and the Don. In addition, the new project has more bandwidth than the previous one. If the Volga-Don Canal is capable of passing up to 16 million tons per year, then through the Eurasia Canal it will be possible to drive up to 45 million tons of various cargoes.
The expected cost of construction, according to various sources, ranges from 6 to 15 billion US dollars.
Who benefits?
Undoubtedly, the project is extremely beneficial to Kazakhstan. After all, he receives the transit of goods from China to European countries. Thus, he becomes the largest intermediary not only between Russia and China, but also between China and Europe. This should regularly bring billions of US dollars to the treasury of Kazakhstan.
As for Russia, we will not receive such dividends from the construction of the canal.
Firstly, another transit route for Chinese goods will not bring additional benefits. Part of the flow that went through the Trans-Siberian Railway will be redirected along the new route, that is, it will decrease in one place and increase in another.
Increasing the cargo capacity of the water route for Russia is not too relevant. River transport in our country is very poorly involved, and the Volga-Don Canal patency is enough for our needs “with a head”.
There are also a number of environmental and economic factors. For example, it will be necessary to flood part of the fertile land involved in agricultural production. In addition, the route will cross railways, highways and other communications, that is, bridges will have to be built. The new construction will also upset the ecological balance.
Almost the only plus of the project for Russia is the return of Kazakhstan to the orbit of Russia's interests. After all, only the blind could not fail to notice the gradual drift of this country towards the West. This is the introduction of the Latin alphabet, and participation in American military logistics, and much more.
But with the help of this channel, which will bring serious income to Kazakhstan and strengthen its influence in the region, Russia can be sure of the loyalty of its ally.
One wonders whether the new agreements between Kazakhstan and the United States and the demonstrative cooling of relations with Russia were part of Nazarbayev’s ingenious plan in order to push the leadership of our country to sign an agreement favorable to Kazakhstan on the construction of the Eurasia shipping channel?
Information