Given the History of the area and the previous integration/Immigration(Russian), such an arrangement makes some sense. Despite Russia's fall from Super Power status, although it still is likely the second most Powerful Nation in the World, it also makes some sense that they would want this role in the World. Unfortunately, this is not what we need, another Power Block that would likely once again cause unneeded conflict motivated by Self-Interest. It's bad enough that the US meddles in other Nations for its' own Self-Interest, having 1 or 2(China) more Nations getting in on the game just makes things worse.
Since I bring up the US into this, let me just say something further about that. Even though I find the US's foreign meddling wrong, at least it is somewhat controlled meddling. The USSR most likely would have been far more extreme about it and as far as China is concerned, that's still up in the air as to how they would/will go about it.
It seems clear to me that the Nation-State has run its' course and accomplished all the "Good" that it can. Without a new level of Governance, we'll wallow in never ending conflict as Power-Blocks compete against each other for Power and Control. Many Institutions of this new level of Governance already exist, but until we can fully accept its' status of being greater and the legitimate next step above the Nation-State, many of our most pressing issues will never be resolved.
