There is a myth prevalent among ignorant Russians that it was on lease, but since the treaty is posted on line that is easy to disprove. I've even seen a .jpg of the check. Paid in full.
The real joke is talking about the U.S breaking up while Russia is dying. By their own demographic statistics every time three Russians are born four Russians die. Sooner or later Siberia will fall to the Red Chinese like a ripe fruit. The only question is, will the Red Chinese stop at the Urals, or will the occupy everything up to the Baltic.
Wave bye bye, Russia.
Mark Steyn has stated in his book “America Alone” that Russia is the only major military power with a Third World outcome. The life expectancy in men is falling, alcoholism is rampant, the average Russian woman has had as many as 7 abortions, the best and brightest are leaving, and Siberia—one of the richest areas for natural resources in the world—will soon be all but depopulated. The Chinese, as you stated, need only to walk across the border to occupy the area.
Demographics is history. The only major industrial power with a birth rate above 1.8—replacement value—is the US.
The population bomb is ticking. The only problem is that Europe, Russia and Asia are all in the cross-hairs.
F