[SIBO]

The proposed political and economic union of Russia with the post-Soviet states within the Eurasian Union.

Is this the first step to these states becoming full fledged members of the Russian Federation and losing their independence. I know many former Soviet states are enthusiastic about the Eurasian Union. Russia will do anything to stop Ukraine from joining NATO.

These seem to inevitable developments as Russia grows in power and Europe and U.S. remains stagnant.

[Igor Antunov]

This should be in international relations. And yes Russia leadership figures have for example publically stated that if Ukraine were to opt towards nato, it would simply annex the russian populated eastern half and the crimea.

But Russia is also looking to expand north into the arctic now that the trade passage has cleared. There is immense potential value there for a trade lane controller because trade between europe and east asia could essentially bypass the indian ocean and turbulent middle east. Russian cities and ports in the inhospitable far north would flourish.

There is not much utility in re-absorbing former soviet states that are poorer than russia itself. Simply bringing them to its economic zone and keeping them there is enough. Ukraine is different as it features some interesting strategic perks.

Belarus is essentially part of Russia already.

The caucasus are largely sorted, Georgia is a rump state and no longer a threat to Russias internal republics there.

[AVT]

Why do you assume Russia's power is growing? They have a shrinking ethnic Russian population, a economy dependent upon oil and gas prices, and a highly corrupt business sector that is dominate by a handful of oligarchs.

It appears now that the Ukraine will sign a free trade agreement with the EU as a first step toward integration, with Moldova and Georgia possibly to follow suit. This will mean that Russia will lose its most important member of their potential Eurasian union, and despite all their chest beating, there is little they can do about it.

[Igor Antunov]

Because it is? Russia has been increasing its geopolitical cross-border engagement with every passing month and the economy is fine, all military procurrement plans are still on the table.

And there is plenty russia can do against a divided and economically flaccid US empire on its doorstep. Give it time.