Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1161 - 980: This Money is Well Spent_2

Chapter 1161: Chapter 980: This Money is Well Spent_2

"This is the final proposal, there’s no room for haggling! If your side doesn’t agree, then the Nagorno-Karabakh region will temporarily be monitored by peacekeeping forces dispatched by the Collective Security Organization. Both your and Armenia’s armed forces must withdraw from the region!"

The meaning of these words was rich, and Ilyham, being an old hand, should have been able to understand...

Sure enough, as soon as Wang Ye said this, Ilyham immediately became anxious.

He hurried to argue, "How can that be? If the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh region really want to move to Armenia, then... then we would respect their wishes, of course!"

"In addition, the resettlement costs for the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh region moving to Armenia will be borne by your country, with a standard of ten thousand US dollars per person," Wang Ye added.

Ilyham quickly did the math in his head, and his face turned as unsightly as if he had eaten a bitter melon.

"Wouldn’t that be one or two billion US dollars? Our country’s finances can’t bear such an enormous sum," he lamented.

Wang Ye smiled slightly and countered, "Didn’t you say Turkey would support you? How is it that you can’t come up with one or two billion US dollars? Or is it that they only support you in war, but don’t want to see you peacefully resolving the dispute?"

These words were rather piercing.

Ilyham was left speechless.

His original intention in mentioning Turkey was to show that his country was "in demand," that there were powers willing to woo them, and that they were not an insignificant nation!

But he also understood that getting Turkey to verbally support his country, or even to provide some more weapons to support his side in a war against Armenia, surely wouldn’t be a problem.

However, to expect Turkey to cough up one or two billion US dollars in cash was a pipe dream...

Because Turkey wasn’t rich either.

They were all quite poor...

...

Seeing Ilyham at a loss for words, Wang Ye didn’t press him too hard.

He spoke with a smile, "The issue of money is actually easy to resolve. I’m about to propose a regional economic cooperation plan, which we’ll tentatively call the Mikhail Plan.

That is, to readjust the model used by the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance during the Former Soviet era and then bring in all our brother countries.

Everyone contributes what they can financially or otherwise, and together we boost the economy!

Of course, since the countries of the former Commonwealth of Independent States are generally not very prosperous economically, and it’s only the Russian economy that’s slightly better,

then in the early stages, we will also play our due role, contributing at least thirty billion US dollars annually to support the brother countries joining the Mikhail Plan!

..."

As soon as Wang Ye outlined his Mikhail Plan, Ilyham’s attitude completely changed.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out, his back straightened, and he even became eager to say something before Wang Ye had finished speaking.

Hardly able to wait for Wang Ye to finish laying out his economic cooperation strategy, Ilyham immediately said impatiently:

"Director Mikhail, your plan is really fantastic!

Please allow me to express my respect for you!

It is definitely the most imaginative and promising economic plan I’ve heard in the last decade!

I also believe that all the surrounding countries will be scrambling to join this Economic Cooperation Organization.

Although it has yet to be discussed in the parliament, I believe that our Country A will definitely agree to join this economic cooperation organization from top to bottom.

There won’t be a single dissenting voice!"

Jokingly, thirty billion US dollars in hard cash holds huge allure for these poor countries of the former Commonwealth of Independent States!

Because everyone knows that this Economic Cooperation Organization will essentially include only countries surrounding Big Russia, totaling about a dozen at most.

An annual minimum of thirty billion dollars to be shared, it would mean a considerable amount for each country...

Not to talk of the other benefits of joining this Economic Cooperation Organization, just this assistance fund alone is attractive enough!

As for whether Europe and the United States might offer more money to attract them, that’s wishful thinking; anyone with a bit of sense would realize that their country simply isn’t that valuable!

It’s only Big Russia, out of old affections and despite not being very wealthy itself, that’s willing to spend that much money to support everyone.

However, through this very bold plan, it is clear that Russia was determined to control the surrounding situation and would not allow external forces to intervene.

Actually, no one really cared about whom they were following as a "little brother".

After all, being a little brother was being a little brother; the reason for wanting to break away from Russia and lean towards the other side in the past was simply because it meant obtaining more benefits.

Now that they could get more benefits from Russia without bearing any risks, and taking into account old friendships, it of course made more sense to stick with Russia.

This wasn’t a difficult choice.

So, when Wang Ye presented his "Mikhail Plan" in Asia, Country A, and Ukraine, it was immediately met with a warm welcome and even adulation.

.........

"The Economic Cooperation Organization has limited spots, and we hope that the first batch of member countries will be those with the closest ties to us. As for Country A, it has even withdrawn from the Collective Security Organization and seems closer to Turkey than to us..."

Wang Ye seemingly said this with difficulty.

Ilyham immediately responded with a serious face:

"Perhaps Director Mikhail is not aware, but we are planning to attend this year’s Moscow Collective Security Meeting because we want to rejoin the Collective Security Organization!

What Turkey? We in Country A only have oil and gas trade with them; our relationship is not that close!"

Alright, seeing the large "pie" Wang Ye had offered, he immediately became less familiar with Turkey.

Wang Ye didn’t make it too difficult for him, having already done the necessary persuasion and shown the requisite strength and sincerity.

Too much of anything was not good.

He simply smiled and said, "That’s a wise choice!

Just so happens that the preparatory meeting for the Economic Cooperation Organization is set to take place following the Collective Security Meeting, also in Moscow.

Missing this Collective Security Meeting would mean losing a great opportunity.

If Country A can successfully join the Economic Cooperation Organization, the aid funds allocated will not only cover the resettlement costs of the people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region but also leave some surplus."

Ilyham could hardly resist applauding.

Not having to spend any money from his own side and still receiving a substantial amount, while also reclaiming the Nagorno-Karabakh region without any risk.

Where else could you find such a good deal!

If Russia’s way of doing things were to continue like this, he would definitely stick with this "big brother"!

And from Russia’s perspective, having to spend at least 30 billion US dollars every year to maintain these "brother countries" was a sum that was neither too large nor too small.

But this money was well spent!

For a country the size of Russia, 30 billion US dollars was not a very large amount, and they could squeeze it out if needed.

Spending this money resulted in a group of superficially loyal "little brothers".

It also stabilized the surrounding situation, which was very beneficial for further economic development.

If the situation around your country is unstable, with constant wars and conflicts, how could others dare to invest in your country!

Therefore, a stable surrounding environment is a basic condition for rapid economic development.

Moreover, it expanded Russia’s international influence and appeal.

No matter what you do, there’s a group of countries cheering for you!

Even if the cause is originally unjust, it can make you seem righteous...

As for Wang Ye himself, this plan had hidden "benefits."

Because through this plan, he united the surrounding countries, maintaining good relations between them, making his Crimea very secure!

He prevented the recurrence of certain past events from his previous life, thus changing the course of history.

The next step in Crimea’s development would no longer be affected by external factors.

Perhaps, in a few years, Crimea will be called the "Pearl of Europe"...