WI: Russia Joins the EU

[Shock]

So you're saying the west should occupy russia? Because that is basically what it would take.

It's not an occupation if they are willingly trying to incorporate themselves. Now, in 2019 and the near future, it would take something akin to an occupation.

In 1991, which is when I am refering to, it would have been more like incorporating the other countries. There was no reason to treat Russia like it literally was the Soviet Union but smaller. That's the unnecessary part.

You described Russia as being the exact same situation as what Germany was without foreign occupation. If that's the case, it should have been able to integrate the same manner, maybe slower, but they wouldn't have a reason stop the process, as they arent being antagonized, and the public would have been benefiting, so they'd face public dissent if they tried.

Thus Russia would both democratize and be incorporated to Europe, and quite likely wouldn't be opposing the U.S. (bar the EU and U.S. having a split, as iirc the U.S. was a main drive against the Russian's being incorporated)

 

[Psmith]

I've been thinking of writing a quick TL at some point where Russia goes the way of Hungary after the Cold War. Perhaps, should it have a proper economic recovery and vibrant young democracy in the 1990s, perhaps it could join the EU in the late 2000s before becoming an illiberal democracy in the 2010s? Or would that just lead to it being kicked out?

 

[HistoricalArthropod]

Russia joining would make the EU border China and North Korea. That could be very interesting

 

[hammo1j]

Russia is a backward state where the rule of law is somewhat dubious and gangsters predominate in trade.

The EU has minimum requirements for membership which the Russians even evolved and civilized as they are now under Putin are not going to meet.

It's always the biggest miracle that Gorbachov was able to break their empire peacefully.

 

[BigBlueBox]

Russia is a backward state where the rule of law is somewhat dubious and gangsters predominate in trade.

The EU has minimum requirements for membership which the Russians even evolved and civilized as they are now under Putin are not going to meet.

Sounds just like Ukraine to me yet so many people are insisting that they should be allowed to join.