"Not to worry, Provisional President, I understand what you are saying. Believe me, my policy towards the United States is the exact same even with that damnfool greybeard Santa Claus (5) running things. The truth is that a liberal, democratic Russia remains in the best interest of my country. Europe continues to be a land of emperors on one hand and frothing radicals on the other. A sliver of sanity would go a long way indeed. And fortunately, indeed I can help. Having been at war less than two years ago, my country has plenty of military equipment floating about. You understand how these things go. One moment, the armies in Mexico (6) required everything imaginable- guns, ammunition, supplies- and the American people had to tolerate taxes and intrusions to give them that. The next, we are allegedly at peace. The Army has demobilised fully and sent those supposedly essential supplies to rust. Rather than let that happen, I will put those supplies to good cause." The American paused to hack his lungs out. "I'm a wealthy man, even if I cannot buy my power or my health back. All I can do is purchase these surplus arms and sell them, not to the Russian Republic, but to its Provisional President. This is, at least nominally, a private transaction. It's no different from as though we were neighbours and your house caught fire. The Constitution doesn't prevent my selling you my garden hose to quench the flames!" Both men laughed, but Kerensky quickly sobered.
"Sir, you must not think me ungrateful. You are providing a lifeline for the Russian Republic. Yet... we are a poor country. The Tsarist sovlochi managed to squander most of our financial reserves in the years before the war. We pay our men in scrip and promises, and inflation is rife. The only saving grace is that the enemy is even worse off. How can we-"
The American cut him off. "You needn't worry, Provisional President Kerensky. It is not the United States Government, nor the banks of the United States, which you are paying. They are as merciless to their debtors as possible... which does not, regrettably, mean those debtors always pay in full!" His face clouded, and he said something in English Natasha didn't bother translating. "But regardless, you are paying me personally. While we can arrange a price later on, suffice it to say that the Russian Republic may extend its payment for as long as needed. And besides, it will not be long before I am gone. If the contents of the Russian Republic's treasury cannot reach me in the next life, what use are they?" He winked, and Kerensky's shoulders sagged.