Its odd that the Russians have never thought to do it until now. Highway travel across Siberia is horrifyingly bad. Tying Vladivostok to Saint Petersburg should be a no-brainer.
Smart of the Kazakhs to get a jump on this. It puts them on the map (well, that along with their saudi-sized oil fields).
- They have been invaded so many times throughout history they just can't trust anyone else in our corner of the World.
On the other hand, they have NEVER displayed good will. Perhaps, this is due to being a very, very underdeveloped country (serfdom existed there until mid 19th century) in one way.
But there's more to it.
Tying Vladivostok to Saint Petersburg should be a no-brainer.
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It should? Why?