If Russia had kept all of its Soviet territories (besides perhaps the Baltic) with a late POD would (or could) it have gone down a similar path? Would it have been likely (or possible) for Putin or someone like him to have taken over? Would it likely have similar social policies? Would it be realistic for there to be Democracy in any capacity? How likely is conflict with the West here? Conflict with China? Reaction to 911 and a Western war in Afghanistan? Will it's relationship with China be changed significantly? How about India, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, or Syria? Would it be able to do better than 292 million people?
And if it does go down a similar path (by having conflict with the West in numerous regions), how would the West respond to a goliath Russian state directly bordering the EU and Middle East?