How do you feel about Russia?

[Toad-1]

Do you view it as a good or bad country? would you ever want to visit russia? just in general how do you feel about it?

Updates

+1 y

I personally want to visit Russia one day and ride their famous Trans-siberian railway. steemitimages.com/.../trans_siberian_map.jpg

[nightdrot]

Russia is still a great power, though diminished at the moment. This is not the first time. The whole history of Russia has been one of rising and falling and rising again - the Crimean War, WWI, WWII, etc. Its resilience is not to be underestimated and it is a dangerous power with a capacity for advancing its interests

Consider this long quote from de Tocqueville, written in 1832!

“There are at the present time two great nations in the world, which started from different points, but seem to tend towards the same end. I allude to the Russians and the Americans. Both of them have grown up unnoticed; and whilst the attention of mankind was directed elsewhere, they have suddenly placed themselves in the front rank among the nations, and the world learned their existence and their greatness at almost the same time.

All other nations seem to have nearly reached their natural limits, and they have only to maintain their power; but these are still in the act of growth. All the others have stopped, or continue to advance with extreme difficulty; these alone are proceeding with ease and celerity along a path to which no limit can be perceived. The American struggles against the obstacles which nature opposes to him; the adversaries of the Russian are men. The former combats the wilderness and savage life; the latter, civilization with all its arms. The conquests of the American are therefore gained with the ploughshare; those of the Russian by the sword. The Anglo-American relies upon personal interest to accomplish his ends, and gives free scope to the unguided strength and common sense of the people; the Russian centres all the authority of society in a single arm. The principal instrument of the former is freedom; of the latter, servitude. Their starting-point is different, and their courses are not the same; yet each of them seems marked out by the will of Heaven to sway the destinies of half the globe.”

In that light outreach to Russia is not unwise. The United States and Russia are, suffice to say, not natural allies and an alliance is inconceivable. However, an accommodation not unlike the pre-WWI UK-Russian understanding is possible.

We won the Cold War, in part, by splitting Russia and China. They are not natural allies either.

However, If our policies should drive them together, the U. S. will face an unimaginable strategic problem for our interests. We would be well advised to approach Russia from that perspective. More analysis and less posturing.

[PeterB1517]

What a fantastic answer! What is your background?

[PeterB1517]

Meaning how do you know so much about Russia and history? Perhaps you're in government, do business there, are major history/current events reader.

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 Thanks. You are very kind. In answer to your question, I have worked in politics since the late 1980s. (Actually before that, but in Washington, DC since 1988.) I have worked on the staffs of several Members of the House. as a consultant to the Department of State, and for the U. S. Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe, as well as for the House G. O. P. Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare. In addition, I have worked for a few trade associations.

Beyond that, bluntly, as my girlfriend and my children will tell you, I'm a nerd. There! I said it - and now I am at peace with myself.

Seriously, thanks for your kind comment.

[musicbrain5]

Would you ever visit?

[PeterB1517]

Ok @nightdrot, impressive, answer me this. Why was it that the Sobiet Union was a near comparable power to the U. S. from 1945 to say 1988, and now is considered such a weaker power? True, they lost 14 republics. Eastern Europe doesn't have to do what they say now. How can such a vast and powerful country only have a GDP equal to the small state mess of Italy? Plus, they are much more capitalistic now than they were under Soviet times.

[nightdrot]

@musicbrain5 Sure. I've visited 38 countries and would like to travel to Russia, though I have no current plans to do so. I am especially interested in European history and so, suffice to say, Russia is part of that.

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 You answered your own question. Their territory shrank considerably, costing them extensive resources and population. It is not unlike what would happen in the United States if you removed all the territory from the Rocky Mountains on to Alaska and Hawaii.

In addition, much of the Soviet era economy was committed to the production of weapons and oil. Which is why Soviet store shelves were frequently empty. They did not trade with the rest of the world and they did not produce much of their own. When the USSR collapsed, there was no longer much of a market for the few things it produced and its economy imploded.

Further, many social pathologies were ignored or hidden during the Soviet era. When this became public analysts found high levels of alcoholism, poor health care and, as night follows day, an aging demographic and ill health. This was, as noted, exacerbated by the loss of population when the USSR broke up.

CONT.

[nightdrot]

Put it all together and Russia experienced an economic implosion larger than the United States experienced from Great Depression - and this starting from an economy that was already smaller than the American economy. While Russia has recovered some of that lost ground, the loss of territory, and the resources in that territory, and an aging population has made a full recovery problematic.

Add in that Russia lacked - even in Soviet days - the industrial and technological base from which to compete with Western economies. So as Russia has reemerged from the Soviet era, it has had only minimal luck finding export markets for its goods and services. (Oil excepted and when oil prices were high, Russia's economy recovered some lost ground. However, with fracking and increased oil production, Russian oil has proved to be a limited benefit.)

CONT.

[nightdrot]

Finally, I would quibble about your characterization of the Russian economy. It is not capitalistic, but is rather a kleptocracy, with the most valuable assets held by a narrow oligarchy with any emerging domestic competitors effectively frozen out. This has also stunted Russian economic growth. Though, as noted, it has recovered some of the ground it lost in the late 80s and 90's.

[PeterB1517]

Thank you!! I mean supposedly Putin himself has stolen something like 100 billion dollars or more. Why he wants all that wealth, I can't understand. It's not even like he is a guy who loves luxuries that much. What will break up the oligarchs? Maybe another revolution. Here's another interesting question. I thought Gorbachev was wonderful and brave. But now disliked. I think when he dies, people will recognize how important he was. Why would we ever allow countries like Baltic states to join NATO? Are we really ready to destroy the world protecting Latvia? Insane. It is ashame that Russia did not continue to become more democratic, more capitalistic, that it basically destroyed 2 decades of good will over Crimea despite it being a port which Russia needs.

[PeterB1517]

The situation we find ourselves, with I think 9 major countries having nuclear weapons. I mean, this basically means that these 9 countries cannot go to war ever. How long is this going to last? Or will we agree to fight conventionally?

[PeterB1517]

1. U. S. 2. Russia. 3. UK. 4. France 5. China 6. Israel 7. India 8. Pakistan 9. North Korea

[PeterB1517]

Having studied history, you know how often countries go to war. Now nuclear weapons make it near unfathomable unless we agree to fight conventionally. And if so, how would we fight a country like China? I mean they could raise a 50 million person military or more if they could support it (feed them, move them, make weapons for them).

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 To take your last question first, there is no easy way to answer that question. It is worth noting that nuclear weapons have effectively precluded war between the great powers - with the partial exception of the Korean War - since 1945.

As to those minor powers with nuclear weapons, it is not impossible that they would refrain from using them unless attacked with them. Certainly to use them preemptively would be to assure their own destruction.

There are no assurances. That, indeed, is the point. The multiplicity of factors at play make calculating the effective use of military power too difficult. Beyond that, human nature being what it is, and given my own predisposition to pessimism, it is likely that sooner or later they will be used. Context will then determine to what extent.

As to China, it is why I suggest an outreach to Russia would be wise. Not because Russia is friendly, but because a China-Russia axis would be disastrous to U. S. interests.

CONT.

[nightdrot]

On the other hand, war with China would be unlikely if they had to calculate facing not only the American nuclear arsenal, but possibly the Russian one. The idea being to multiply the uncertainties that China must take into account.

Unfortunately, U. S. policymakers of late have been prone to bouts of moralism as a substitute for analysis. They forget that the international arena - note, "arena," not "community" - is the realm of Machiavelli and not Mother Theresea. Beginning with President Wilson at Versailles the U. S. has sought to establish an global order rooted international law, collective security, a "parliament of man" (the League of Nations, the United Nations Organization) and global free trade. My own view that is forlorn optimism.

CONT.

[nightdrot]

As to Mr. Putin, he is in a long line of Russian autocrats. At the risk of being lazy, I offer this analysis of him that I wrote for this site. What is your take on 'Vladmir Putin' ? ↗ My apologies, you will have to hunt for it under my nom de guerre - Nightdrot.

Regarding Mr. Gorbachev, I think you give him too much credit. He was attempting to save an inherently tyrannical system. He was brought down by a coup, not because he suddenly decided that Marxism was immoral. He must be judged on his ambitions, and those ambitions were not moral. In terms of power-politics, we deal with the world as we find it. However, in assessing his motives, we need still apply a moral standard.

[PeterB1517]

What is an example of "Unfortunately, U. S. policymakers of late have been prone to bouts of moralism as a substitute for analysis. They forget that the international arena - note, "arena," not "community" - is the realm of Machiavelli and not Mother Theresea."

You're saying we have been moralistic. Hmm... Maybe supporting the unlikely Syrian opposition instead of picking a feasible group fighting. We have mostly supported Kurds. Were we moralistic in Iraq or Afghanistan? I think we tried to make them better countries. Organizing opposition/sanctions to Iranian nuclear weapon development? I really don't get what we have so against Iran when we support Saudi Arabia. I guess I disagree. I think we should be more consistently moral. One thing good Obama and Trump have done good is talk to enemies. That's just old, arrogant thinking to not talk to enemies. I'll read your Putin article.

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 You confuse morality and moralism. The former is rules of conduct that conduce to the good. The latter is mere preaching.

My own view is that in the international arena you must take the world as you find it. Sometimes immoral conduct is necessary to attain moral outcomes. See also our alliance with Stalin to defeat Hitler - or indeed, Dresden, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and so on.

The point is not that we are saints and they are sinners. It is that we seek to be saints - sainthood here defined as democracy, the rule of law, etc. - and they seek to be sinners - sin here defined as autocracy, personal or oligarchical rule, etc.

The problem with moralism is that you have too many commentators - and of late policymakers - preaching a moral argument but they are taking no account of context and circumstance. You see this especially in reaction to outreach to Russia.

CONT.

[nightdrot]

To be sure, it is not clear if President Trump is clear in his own mind about his goals, and there is reason to doubt his methods. Still, there is a case to be made for his outreach to Russia. Unfortunately, that has been lost among all the flared nostrils.

[PeterB1517]

Test

[PeterB1517]

I bet you know Stephen Cohen. He's a character. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_F._Cohen

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 Yes, I do know of him. Although we have never met. (Not a fan of his wife, at all.)
Although I am somewhat in sync with Professor Cohen on the Russia question, for him it tends to be a principle, whereas for me a rapprochement with Russia is a tactical expedient. As often as not, I find that Professor Cohen gives me useful information that I can employ when making my own arguments. By the same token, I find that he overlooks broad differences between Russia and the United States (and the West generally), that make any long term relationship grounded in anything more than expedience problematic at best.

He also tends to postulate a moral equivalence between Russia and the United States that I do not share at all. We need Russia to be if not friendly, at least not hostile and aligned with our enemies. Beyond that, though, I have no illusions about Russian benevolence. It is not clear to me that Cohen does not have such illusions.

[PeterB1517]

Thanks for all your insight!!

[nightdrot]

@PeterB1517 Thank you, as well. It was a real pleasure chatting with you.

[musicbrain5]

One day you'll make it there. I'm hoping to go with my dad in October. I'm working on improving my language skills so he doesn't have to be my translator the entire time.

[nightdrot]

@musicbrain5 Wow! Have a great time - and thanks so much.

[dantetheexplorer]

I'd love to visit Russia, but obviously, with its reputation, I would go with reservations. For example, a black English footballer by the name of Danny Rose told his family to stay home (in England) during the World Cup, rather than follow him to Russia. A female Russian politician during the World Cup told Russians to avoid having sex with tourists who come in for the World Cup, and added that if Russians MUST have sex with World Cup tourists, they should only have sex with WHITE tourists.

These things do not paint Russia, the country, as a friendly place for anyone other than white folk.

But, I'd like to think that the people of the country themselves, are a diverse lot, and just like in any country, you'll find good and bad eggs. I'm sure the majority are good folk, and will be more than happy to welcome travelers to check out their beautiful country.

[dantetheexplorer]

Also, I'm not a vegetarian, but I suspect Russia may also be a challenging place for a vegetarian. I might be wrong. I hope I'm wrong!

[musicbrain5]

I'm an ethnic Russian, and I can't really say anything bad about it. Unfortunately, I have yet to visit Russia, although I'm hoping to go with my dad in October. It's the culture that I grew up with, and also the language. Although I'm not good at speaking or writing it, but I understand quite a bit - you know that shit kids do with their immigrant families, answering them back in English 😂

In light of recent events between Trump and Putin, it's important to remember to strip away the politics. Focus instead on the rich culture, the history, the cuisine, the language.

[Toad-1]

definitely agree on the last part.

[musicbrain5]

Dude that was the quickest +1 in the history of GAG.

[musicbrain5]

If you do indeed ever take the train all the way from Moscow to Vladivostok, you sir will be a champ. Lol.

[Toad-1]

just one of the things on my bucket list lol.

If it ever becomes safe in my lifetime y i also wouldn't mind traveling the entirety the silk road.

[undercoverbadgirl]

I’m Russian myself actually and moved to England around 4 years ago. The society is a little too ‘traditional’ leading to sexism, racism and homophobia. As for culture, sure it’s rich and has a lot of history. I would never move back. Healthcare ain’t a thing, a few of my relatives were even fake diagnosed with cancer just to make them undergo expensive treatments - corruption is very real. The vast majority are brainwashed by TV which is, in turn, controlled by the government- which effectively robs its own citizens. I’ve got a lot to say, but trust me I’d never move back

[undercoverbadgirl]

As for visiting as a tourist? Yeah, but if you’re not straight expect some serious judgement and hate. Not everyone is like that - plenty of people aren’t. But I’m talking about the majority

[undercoverbadgirl]

Aw thanks for MHO!

[juliaanita]

i have travelled to Russia multiple times-To St. Petersburg, and I find the Russian people incredibly culturally astute, very creative and (mostly) welcoming people. I also believe that they have been sold a bill of goods by their authoritarian thug of a dictator Putin which is not in their own best interests.
Unfortunately our own would be authoritatrian thug of a president is somehow in cahoots the Russian thug. Why this is, we can only guess-but I will just bet that historians will write about the pee tapes as real thing.
And if we are not careful, we will be living much like the good Russian people-under a oligarchic kleptocracy.

Which is exactly what the mobster president wants.

[handyman129]

Love this answer. Thank you

[juliaanita]

@handyman129 you're welcome-
you been to Russia too?

[Trolldad]

Putin is resisting the glboalists. Say what else u want about him.

[juliaanita]

@Trolldad which isn't good.
He is resisting globalists by murdering journalists and innocent civilians? He is resisting globalists by bullying his way into countries that aren't his? He is resisting globalists by stealing from his countrymen to make himself and his cronies wealthy?
This is the system you are defending? Really?
The man is an amoral thug and a danger to world stability.
And our president admires that.
That you would even utter one word in his defense should make you ashamed.

[juliaanita]

@Trolldad He is resisting globalists by killing journalists and former agents who have spoken against him? He is resisting globalists by killing innocent civilians? By pilliaging his own people to make himself and his cronies wealthy? He is resising globalists by invading countries he has no right to invade? Really?
And you are from Bulgaria. That you would even utter one word in defense of this thug should make you hang your head in shame.

[howlyz]

what would you know about Mr. Putin, only the lies you hear on your propagandist media

[juliaanita]

@howlyz its easy to invoke the word "lies" and "propagandist media" without offering any evidence, isn't it. I see a lot of jack booted facist wannabes using the same verbiage here in the States, again with no evidence.

Actually, our family owns property about 95 kilometers from St. Petersburg, so I am more than a little interested in Putin's thugish behavior, and I am well aware of the nasty thugish people that support him.
I can only surmise that those who do are either willfully ignorant of history, or are bullies, or are just stupid.

Which one are you?

[howlyz]

if there was any evidence it would be a lot easier I guess but you know what I am talking about I am not worried about that.. glad your family has a nice property by the way, I believe you you don't have to bring any proof I trust you..
I think you are a little bit butthurt because this man have restored Russia as a world force again but that's your problem.. and yes thugish behaviour is just what is needed to deal with the number one world thugs like NATO aliance who is racketeering Europe and the rest of the world with their very nice and polite methods, its all good as long as NATO is serving USA right, the Bilderberg and others which is no need to mention..
I guess the methods of USA is good to take away the children of imigrants on the border, take away the kids of the people who are maintaining the benefited and privileged life standard of an middle class American, the USA is good guy for nuke-ing Japan after the world ended..

[howlyz]

.. They are the good guys for marching in like a hero on D day but only after Russians lost 20 milion people and entering Berlin and ending world war two, USA did it of course to get a peace of the cake for them selves... They are the good guys for dividing Korea on north and south... they are the good guys for taking the german nuklear scientist in the operation paper clip and making an A bomb just to throw it on Japan who was on their knees so they become biger pos's than the ones they were fighting.. they are the good guys for almost constantly been at war somewhere in the world.. they were the good guys for the war in Vietnam which is 1000's of miles away from the USA..
on the bigger scale of things you probably are narrow sighted but that is ok I guess, you have a right to do that but I do too

[howlyz]

and your comments here are loaded and simply blatant lies, you can see that from miles away that you are not trying to objective but exactly the opposite

[howlyz]

by the way American people are great in my opinion, it is just that the overseas war campaigns and the interventionist imperialistic foreign policy is a catastrophe no less, a world scale catastrophe and now a source of most of the world problems

[juliaanita]

@howlyz
Well, you answered my question RE what kind of thug you are and i know where you stand. I do know there are people like you in the world, It's just kinda shocking to actually communicate with one.

[howlyz]

no one believes you are worried for the people of Russia, it just isn't so convincing and it is kinda obvious what you are trying to do, but that's ok sugar

[howlyz]

like you are lying that he is a dictator when he had 80% of the votes on the last elections while in the USA if they get 50% that is a maximum, so there is that.. also the question was about the country and in general not about a specific person but you turned it in your ad hominem anti Putin rant, just like you did in your last answer there where you focus on me and you say you know what kind of a person I am but in fact you don't have a clue

[juliaanita]

@howlyz I don't lie.
Did I use the word dictator? I don't think I did, but I think what I used for Putin was thug and authoritarian. I could have also used kleptocrat. and liar. Bald faced liar, actually.
I do agree about the Russian people, who have always been cordial to me and are very very well read, artistic and culturally motivated.
But Putin is still a thug.

[howlyz]

yes you did and that was a lie

[juliaanita]

@howlyz Im not sure the word lie means what you think it means...

[howlyz]

well, if someone is elected with 80% of the votes then it's not a dictatorship, maybe you want me to say that you maybe don't know what a dictator is but I am sure you know what it means so no need to go there, and yes you lied meaning you didn't told the truth but the opposite of truth

[juliaanita]

@howlyz you are right. Usually a dictator demands at least 90%. Of course we probably don't know the real percentage, given that Putin has strong control over what the press can put out.

[nadinatali]

I dont know much but I see it like this.
Russia as country with character. Whenever is someting happening in world, first thing cross my mind is how will Russia react to this.
Russia stands on her own, has very unique president who is scary and seems nice at same time. I don't know much but as much as I know Russia seems fair.
Russia has beautiful girls but also girls who done too much plastic surgery. Also never saw more #thinspo from anybody as much from Russian girls.
Russia has people who are unique but have a really good heart, never met better people than Russians.
I will visit Russia once. Love from Croatia.

[howlyz]

Nice

[Loverpool]

Does that mean Croatia wants to be part of a new Soviet Union? Was life better in the USSR? Maybe poorer but a real community spirit?

[howlyz]

yes it does, is that a problem with you? so you are present on every comment on this question then

[howlyz]

Croatia was not a part of USSR, not yet

[Loverpool]

Not a problem with me, I respected the USSR. A lot of former Soviets said life was better before 1989. I thought Croatia was behind the iron curtain? In the USSR? Why so many of you are now flooded into England & taking so many jobs?

[Loverpool]

Your a miserable parasite with an attitude too. Bring on Brexit & send all you Croat parasites home.

[howlyz]

@Loverpool nope, Croatia was a part of Yugoslavia then.. Why you ask, probably because England was robing the rest of the world for centuries like some of the other countries that are in the "rich club", where do you think england got it's wealth, it was given by God? nope man..
by the way I am not working in your country, also you should revise your knowledge on history.. I am sorry but this is true, this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IGHByjToO4

[howlyz]

your country got number one on this list

[Loverpool]

Oh & dejan lovren is a shithouse crap footballer & lost us The Champions league. Just like he bottled the world cup final. can't wait till he goes home too

[Loverpool]

We saved you from Hitler's concentration camps you cheeky cunt. Don't know why we bothered now.

[howlyz]

be proud English man, nazy germany is only number 4 on this list and English empire is number one with over 150 milion deaths, can't beat that..
also I am glad Croatia beat your country on this world cup

[howlyz]

you say someone saved someone from hitler, that was Russia little one, they entered Berlin the first, only Russia, remember that

[howlyz]

your country hasn't brought anyone any good in recent history, if I was English I would renounce my citizenship, true story, because I would be ashamed

[howlyz]

actually you are a fucking parasite, I just saw your comment now, just take a look at your county history, you are a definition of a parasite you fucking hypocrite

[Loverpool]

Russia, were in Germany's side at first till Hitler turned on them? Learn your history you thick miserable croat cunt. Stalin & Hitler were carving up poor Poland until we had the guts to declare war. While you Yugoslavians were hiding away Luke cowards. Oh & we invented the Trade Union too. While you croats are to gutless to have tthem. Happy to flood over here and work in shit conditions on shit wages just to undercut our whole working wage. That, you miserable cunt is the definition of a parasite. & our team are still very young. Let's see ya avoid a total hammering in the next Euros & World Cup? You won't. We will do far worse to you lot than France did.

[Loverpool]

Oh yes, Never mind inventing a free national health service & this internet? We invented Football too. What has your dour nation brought to the World?

[howlyz]

yeah yeah, sure

[vishna]

The people overall are diverse and there are good and bad people. The government is very corrupt though, but I don't think an everyday citizen should be seen as bad because of what the people in power do... especially when the people in power in Russia have been known to murder opponents...

One of my favorite youtubers is Russian and she sometimes shows off the food and cultural tid bits :) I love RT tbh XD they have interesting stuff, youtube channel, the birthing show is good as well as the random documentaries.

[Loverpool]

Well said Vishna. Exactly! Governments do not represent the actual people of their country. In every country I have been to, the locals were different. I even met a nice French person once. lol

[Alice2398]

I find it very interesting and I would love to visit one day. The stereotype I get is that the people are very scary and you wouldn't want to mess with them but besides from that I don't really fully trust or buy into a lot of what British media is telling us about Russia lately something seems very off that's all I'm saying

[Toad-1]

here in the US too, i don't completely buy what the media says about them

[Alice2398]

It's like they just point the finger at them for everything and it's obvious they want a war Germany has wanted to a European army for years now and they want something to distract from people wanting to leave the EU and make it seem good again

[PeterB1517]

I've always been fascinated by Russia. I came into cognizance when Mikhail Gorbachev was revolutioning Soviet Union and Eastern Europe with glasnost and perestroika. I took one year of Russian and minored in Russian lit. In many ways, it is a country similar to U. S. It has been a major power since 1700s at least, and will continue to be in future. Though economy is vastly smaller than U. S., it is not a country to be fucked with. It could kill the majority of Americans in less than one hour with total nuclear war.

[Jjpayne]

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[Jjpayne]

Lovely the links don't work but red sparrow sums it up for me. American's are weak Russia is the only one with the balls to do anything, kind of mentality. I think that is a dangerous way of thought.

[RationalMale]

It's interesting. Overall honestly I think they're much more savage than us--but if you read War and Peace for example, they seem to view it as a conflict between wholesome values and such, and the vain shallow attitudes of a Parisian snob. I had a few Russian/Ukrainian/Moldovan classmates in college, they were alright.

Did they interfere with the election? Probably. Who gives a damn? We let Israel interfere with our elections to that point that if you support a boycott on Israel (say you just write an article supporting it, you don't actually sell anything) it's a crime. And God knows we're letting Mexico run havoc on our elections. What does it matter if Russians do now anyways?

[name_is_eric]

Growing up, I was taught not to be friends with Russians, since there's some history between our countries: "Don't sleep with the enemy, etc. etc."

But I see Russia as a necessary business partner.
I don't trust the Russian government though.
I admire how nationalistic Russia is. Family always comes first.
Russia is not going to suffer from a decline of birth rate, at least anytime soon. Something Europeans should take a hint from.
As far as the people go, I've met many and they seem alright in my book. A bit too loud and friendly for my comfort, though.

I've visited Karelia and Vyborg, lot of history there. Some good, some not so.

[Rei02]

I would like to visit the country. Like every country, there are both good and bad things. I would like to go because despite its polemic and critical history, I want to know more about the Russian culture, its places to visit like the Kremlin, the Church of Blood, the natural landscapes, its art, the food, and to understand how do russians reach a good education level, their learning methods.

[Loverpool]

What is The Church of Blood?

[Rei02]

@Loverpool It is a church which was built on the site where the Romanov family was executed. I think it is known as Church on the Blood and it is in Yekaterinburg.

[Rei02]

Complete name: Church on Blood in Honour of All Saints Resplendent in the Russian Land.

[Catholicgirl22]

Seems ok. I've met a few Russian men and they seem very motivated intelligent physically fit and full of masculine energy which i find very attractive. The women seem very smart beatiful and very healthy (apart from the smoking).

https://youtu.be/naf4DNAZNaU

[Loverpool]

Yea I agree. The girls are very dominant too! Well at least one from Moscow was in Spain recently! Quite liked her sexy confidence! Did feel a bit abused but liked it a lot. lol

[Knighted2170]

Leaving politics aside, I would love to visit.
I've studied the country's history and read many biographical books on the struggles that the people went through. The people overall are a very proud people.
The culture and traditions are actually something to be admired.
And this is coming from a person who grew up in the cold war. Raised believing that the Russian people simply wanted world dominance, and the total annihilation of the United States and its allies.

[Bianca914]

Russia is a politically shady country, they are all about dirty business. Russians are not all bad but in general I would say they're arrogant by nature. They think they're better than everyone else because theyre not. Maybe the train ride will be nice but that's how I feel about the country.

[NYCQuestions1976]

Spot on.

[Chiper91]

It’s funny that you think Russians are arrogant. I am from Russia and have been in the states for 9 years. I would a say that Americans Are arrogant. They think that they are the shit and that the world owes them everything.

[Trolldad]

@Chiper91 Yes, I have noticed this. They live in fantasy land, watching too much TV. They don't understand the big picture.

[Bianca914]

@Chiper91 I think americans are more polite than Russians. Russian girls are cocky and have an attitude

[MidnightCowboy]

A fuck up country where their leader is nuts, their whole Olympic team was busted for drugs, they are the worse drivers (See the YouTube videos), and they cheated in politics. Also, they are anti-human rights and their people have much fewer rights than Americans do

Plus I dislike the cold and the snow

[Toad-1]

would you ever visit?

[MidnightCowboy]

Nope if Russia stays the same

[Celq532]

No better than United States. Both are extremely self-centered and neither are genuinely working towards world peace. By that, I mean preserving their own countries is a higher priority than achieving world peace alongside rest of the world. I do t know any countries doing the above also.

[JimRSmith]

I would love to go. I visited Belarus and Ukraine in June, with a Russian speaking friend, and it whetted my appetite.

But, I'm hesitant to go with the present regime in office, given the state of our relationship with Russia.

This pisses me off, because on an individual level, I've always got along well with the Russians I've met.

[I_want_to_sleep]

Leave it to the shitty government to ruin relationships with a great country

[Zenurus]

My personal view from my experience with russian people - would be negative. Living near the country, having dated, studied and worked with plenty. It must be some to the cultural collision too I bet, but.. if a country has to change their educational history books 'cause they're too dark... Come on.

[Loverpool]

They sold out. Conned by Yeltsin & Baywatch's David Hastlehoff singing 'Freedom' in his leather pants on the Berlin wall (both alcoholics) Now they are a corrupt state serving the filthy rich like most of the countries in the rest of the world. God Bless Cuba, Vietnam, Venezuela &
North Korea. I hope they survive & prosper. Forget our puppet media propaganda, they are community minded, not selfish money grabbing societies.

[Leimarie]

I’m sure it’s a country filled with beautiful and kind people, but from what I have heard about their homophobic policies, involvement in US politics, and my personal opinion that the cuisines are not very apetizing (with the exception of good Vodka), so Russia will not be a place I would want to visit in the future.

[Loverpool]

Yea the homophobic crap needs to be wiped out. Makes em as neanderthal as the muslims & some African nations.

[Loverpool]

Oh & the Neanderthal sects that think they are still part of Christianity too. Jesus never said he hated gays, those that do are no Christians.

[iamconfusion111]

I think Russia is a beautiful place, and I'd love to visit it. I would love to even study there if I could. I don't dwell much in the politics between Russia and other countries but I generally see it as a beautiful and good place.

[Loverpool]

I think it is definitely interesting & do want to visit. Wish it could get its old government back & rebuild that wall. I would fling myself into East Berlin. Rather live quite poor with Maria Sharapova than rich with Kim Kardashian. Why are Russians so attractive?

[goaded]

As a country, it's a relatively lawless Oligarchy controlled by a dictator who's willing to annex parts of smaller neighbouring countries, and to kill journalists and opposition politicians with impunity.

I knew someone with a Russian girlfriend he used to visit, 20 years ago. He said you never buy a train ticket, you just bribe the people who come to check them because, as a foreigner, they'll just throw your ticket out the window and you'll have to pay them anyway.