"Russia has always seen itself as a European power, not an Asian one."
I couldn't agree more. I have never been quite sure why the Americans and Europeans treat Moscow so antagonistically. I get the Cold War, communism, capitalism, and the whole Clash of Civilizations thing. But the US, Europe and Russia have learned quite a bit since then. And the great bromance between Clinton and Yeltsin gives some indication that constructive relationships can be formed.

In my daily life, I have learned that collaboration is much better than confrontation. And humans usually agree on the most important things. The Russians, the Europeans and the Americans have a lot in common. And those commonalities need to be nurtured.

“Putin is well aware that the CCP has designs on Central Asia and it's rich mineral resources. China has been laying claim to successive areas which it claims to have owned historically, and if that includes the Mongol Empire…”

I’ve thought this for a while too, even Putin has commented that the Russian Eastern Frontier north and east of Manchuria could develop into a geopolitical crisis if China officially claims those areas. For the life of me, I can't find the reference, but I remember him talking about it. I hate when I can't find sources.

But there is a growing amount of Chinese investment, infrastructure and migration into the Russian east…And what I know from history…if one builds something, they get awfully possessive of it…regardless if it's in somebody else's territory...especially if their people are living there.

And northeastern China has about 20 times the population as Eastern Russia does. And having a bigger population matters quite a bit.

Great analysis in your comment @alonicus.