Russian Answer to EU- The Eurasian Union

[Tani Coyote]

You mean, just join the russian federation as a few more republics?

Is political union even an option yet?

Right now, it sounds like it's just going to be economic vassalageunion.

 

[Snorrius]

IThey are independent nations, they can join whatever organization they want.

Only if supervised by Russia. There is a difference between by being an independent nation de-jure and de-facto.

 

[Snorrius]

Well, in any case for Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan joining Russia this or another way is natural.

 

[warpus]

Well, in any case for Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan joining Russia this or another way is natural.

Why Kazakhstan? Belarus and Ukraine I can see, even though Ukraine has a distinct culture (Belarus used to too, but it kinda got eroded).. But Kazakhstan - isn't it a bit more asiatic and turkic or whatever?

 

[Snorrius]

Why Kazakhstan? Belarus and Ukraine I can see, even though Ukraine has a distinct culture (Belarus used to too, but it kinda got eroded).. But Kazakhstan - isn't it a bit more asiatic and turkic or whatever?

Unlike say Uzbekistan it is more close to Russia in culture (more secular, people are more educated etc, more advanced than other Central Asian Republics). Kazakhstan's population relatively small but territory is big and numerous other advantages.

Also Kazakhstan by itself can not be really independent state - and Russia is much better choice in long run than other powers in the region.

 

[red_elk]

But Kazakhstan - isn't it a bit more asiatic and turkic or whatever?

Not more than Yakutia, or Chukotka
Russia is and has always been a multinational country.

 

[G-Max]

How does this proposal differ from the CIS already in place?

The Eurasian Union would mean free trade and possibly a common currency. The CIS means absolutely nothing except "countries that used to be the USSR"

 

[Lone Wolf]

Plus there's a sizeable Russian population in the Kazakhstani North.

 

[amadeus]

Only good comes from removing trade barriers. Good luck to the three of them.

 

[TheLastOne36]

As amadeus said, only trade barriers will be removed.

I can't see Ukraine joining this union. There would be too much opposition in the country.

 

[RedRalph]

As amadeus said, only trade barriers will be removed.

I can't see Ukraine joining this union. There would be too much opposition in the country.

If their economy gets bad enough, and people realise the EU wants nothing to do with them, they will be left with little choice.

 

[Virote_Considon]

>implying the EU wants nothing to do with them

 

[berkut]

Hope that eurasian union ends up merging with the EU

 

[warpus]

Hope that eurasian union ends up merging with the EU

Doubtful. The EU wouldn't let such a giant group of people join the bloc, not after what's been happening recently... Maybe in a century or so

 

[TheLastOne36]

Hope that eurasian union ends up merging with the EU

I'd rather North Africa.

 

[red_elk]

Hope that eurasian union ends up merging with the EU

Whole EU is too large, may be former Warsaw pact countries will be allowed to join Eurasian Union at first stage.

 

[TheLastOne36]

Whole EU is too large, may be former Warsaw pact countries will be allowed to join Eurasian Union at first stage.

And for what reason would we do that?

 

[Leoreth]

Maybe they realize how good they had it back then? Can't think of anything else.

Russia might be able to get those too close it to get away on their own (Belarus and Ukraine plus the Steppe countries) more under their thumb again. But Central Europe and the Baltics? They have too many other options now.

 

[Veles]

Maybe they realize how good they had it back then? Can't think of anything else.

Russia might be able to get those too close it to get away on their own (Belarus and Ukraine plus the Steppe countries) more under their thumb again.

zomg, ebil rasha getting countries unner her thumb again!!!1!

Of course, if it will be advertised as subjugation of other countries, this will get little support on thier part. So this should be praised as a restoration and all that. I mean, who wouldn't want to restore Old Rus'? It was simply too awesome to be forgotten for good.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Only good comes from removing trade barriers. Good luck to the three of them.

As amadeus said, only trade barriers will be removed.

I can't see Ukraine joining this union. There would be too much opposition in the country.

I'd suspect if the countries are already close economically, this is true.

If we(as in the USA) removed all trade restrictions with Canada, I suspect nothing bad would happen, as we're both wealthy, developed nations.

On the other hand, if we opened them with China or Mexico...

Of course, if it will be advertised as subjugation of other countries, this will get little support on thier part. So this should be praised as a restoration and all that. I mean, who wouldn't want to restore Old Rus'? It was simply too awesome to be forgotten for good.

The problem is, national identity prevents such a thing. It's also why any union in the modern era has such difficulties - Canada would never join the USA because we'd dominate them politically, economically, etc. Same goes for Russia and her neighbors.

Russia doesn't have to have some grand imperialist agenda, the simple fact is that when a giant and a bunch of dwarves are in the same room, the giant is going to call the shots.

Of course, that's why I always propose American-esque government - a lower house where population determines number of seats, and an upper house where each member state gets its own seat. That way, neither part of the union, big or small, exists at the expense of the other.