Don't worry. It's only matter of time before average salary and working conditions will become even worse than in most other countries and immigration stops. It's a self-regulating process, you see
Besides, cost of living in US is higher so it's only matter of time before those immigrants figure out that they're being ripped off and will become as demanding as the rest of americans.
However, despite years of being joined and with time to all become on happy family that work well together, once given the chance, they not only separated, but almost all of them put out feelers and looked at joining the EU and NATO. NATO, whose only real point is to protect people from Russia. In the European family of nations, it really does seem like Russia is the drunk uncle who likes to abuse his wife and kids and gets mad when they try to move out and go to a shelter.
Not countries themselves but only their leadership. That's all theater to paint Russia as old soviet bogeyman to justify their positions of power. EU and NATO are not in strict opposition to Russia, it's not Soviet Union ffs, just another post-soviet state. It could as well end up in NATO eventually. I just think that we could be better off with only one post-soviet state rather than several ones like we did. There were many horrible things done as part by Soviet regime, but it not in any way can be considered purely Russian. Personnel from all republics participated. Stalin for example is ethnic Georgian. Communism transcends nationalities.
No, they were started by Putin trying to build a third Russian Empire on the ruins of Soviet Union. At this point the hope for Russia, the region and perhaps the world is that old age does its job before he can cause irreparable damage.
The truly sad thing is that it's saber-rattling like this that keeps Russia from assuming the place its size, population and natural resources would otherwise entitle it to. No one wants to deal with people who renege on their deals and send in the military the second they get - or manufacture - an excuse. Why do you think Ukrainians hated the very thought of "closer ties" - also known as chains - with Russia enough to revolt?
That's a cute theory based on complete ignorance of current situation. Just look at the consequence: Georgia is still independent and many Ossetians were saved from getting killed. I'd say Russia did a better job at avoiding being imperialist than, say, US. Honestly, I'm a world citizen, and I'm for complete abolition of separate states. For now I think the less separate states there is the better. Especially those run by petty national radicals like Georgia and Ukraine. Partition of Soviet Union was a joke, most of its people was against it.
Credit ... is the only enduring testimonial to man's confidence in man. -- James Blish