Mr Putin has given it a cheque for 25 billion roubles and promised to pay for transporting Lada cars through six time-zones to Russia's fareast, where most people long ago ditched Ladas for second-hand Japanese cars.
They miserably failed to qualify for Euro 2000, meaning they will be doubly-determined to make up for lost time once the finals get under way in the FarEast.
We have been for over 300 years loyal to the British Crown, our island was used during the time that Britain was developing its trading links with the FarEast.
That seemed wise enough: at a time when peace prospects looked far better, Mr Christopher visited the Middle East umpteen times and got little from it.
At a time when a number of companies are moving call centres to the FarEast, Mrs Buck said she had chosen Armagh because of the availability of suitable employees.
Shell has been on a massive divestment strategy on its oil field assets, from Africa to the FarEast for the last 12 months, or since Rossi did his first demonstration this time last year.