New Russian President Dmitry Medvedev wants better links with Europe. Judging by the performance of outgoing President Vladimir Putin, Europe should beware: The so-called “links” he’s seeking may resemble those used to chain together prisoners in the Gulag. On the other hand - though it’s admittedly unpleasant to say so - there’s a point at which the effects of high oil prices are so great that in the short run they far outweigh one’s distaste for the thuggish Russian regime. And at $123 a barrel, we may be at that point. Politically, Russia has pretty much reverted to the pre-1991 Soviet system. Today,… SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "With the New Russian President Vowing to Steer a Steady Ship, U.S. Investors Can Look to Profit", url: "http://jutiagroup.com/2008/05/09/with-the-new-russian-president-vowing-to-steer-a-steady-ship-us-investors-can-look-to-profit/" });