" The Russians are turning east to the Chinese – to the Europeans’ surprise. It always seemed to me that the relationship between Russia and China would shift from being based in Marx and Lenin to being based in oil and gas. "
- Daniel Yergin

The quote discusses a shift in international relations where Russia is increasingly aligning with China, which comes as a surprise to many European nations. It suggests that this new relationship between Russia and China could evolve from ideological ties rooted in Marxist-Leninist principles to pragmatic cooperation centered around energy resources like oil and gas.

On a deeper level, the quote highlights the changing dynamics of global power structures and alliances. Historically, both Russia and China have shared a foundational ideology based on Marxism-Leninism, which has influenced their diplomatic relations. However, in recent years, these ideological ties appear to be diminishing as both nations seek more practical benefits from their relationship, such as economic cooperation and trade deals involving natural resources. This shift reflects the reality that international relationships are often driven by mutual interests and pragmatic considerations rather than shared ideologies or historical alliances.

Daniel Yergin is a renowned American economist, historian, and geopolitical analyst with extensive expertise in energy policy and global economics. He has authored several influential books on the subject of oil and geopolitics, including "The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power," which won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. His insights are widely respected by policymakers and industry experts alike, making his observations about international relationships particularly noteworthy.