[Cousin Eddie]

My prognostication for Vlady...FAT CHANCE.

My children's piano teacher (and family) got out 15-20 years ago, and there is no way in the world they would ever return. It isn't about the few bucks (or rubles) that he could throw them...it's FREEDOM!!!!!

They know that Russia is still extremely corrupt, still run by the same party apparatus that ruled the Soviet Union for 70+ years. Putin and all his cronies are basically ex KGB and other party officials. They were low level party members back in the '80s, now they're at the top of the pyramid and won't relinquish power -- anymore than the Soviet rulers would.

The regular folk have no upward mobility. Social welfare won't entice back people who've had a taste of the west.

[sergey1973]

Certainly for 99% Russians living in the West, there is absolutely no reason to return to Putin's Russia. However, for Russians living in Islamic Central Asia, it could be a decent alternative.

[GSlob]

Agree completely. Still, the Balts do not particularly like having the fifth column and could [if not already do] put a squeeze on it. For the Ukraine it would take splitting, due to the numbers involved.

[sergey1973]

"It isn't about the few bucks (or rubles) that he could throw them...it's FREEDOM!!!!!"

Definitely true. However, let's not forget about Russians living in Islamist hell holes of Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, etc.)

For them Putin's Russia will be at least a step forward -:))))