As documented in Russian periodicals the plight of the people of Siberia is not an easy one. Furthermore, there are rumoured gulags inside of the Siberia area.
While Russia may have done an adequate job of modernizing Siberia, the USA has a track record of providing for better progress. If Russia want to show the world that they are truly world leaders they would want to close down the gulags. The successions of Siberia to the USA would allow the USA and all the USA's friends to quickly garner help to the plight of these frozen peoples.
Considering the USA bailed out Russia, with a tremendous amount of money, during its bankruptcy at the end of the first cold war in 1989, it would be impolite for Russia to ask for redemption.



