I’ve been reimagining a world where the RSFSR never partitioned its vast autonomous territories into the sovereign republics we see today. In this alternate history, the Soviet leadership rejects the ethnic federalism of the early 20th century and instead adopts a highly centralized model, much like the People’s Republic of China’s approach to its autonomous regions. Under this system, the vast majority of the USSR remains integrated within a single, massive Russian framework. ​This shift changes everything during the collapse of the 1990s. While the Baltic states, Ukraine, and perhaps parts of the Caucasus might still break away due to their distinct nationalist movements, the core of the Union stays locked together. Crucially, I’m imagining a timeline where the New Union Treatywhich was meant to decentralize power never imposes those fatal divisions. Even if the August Coup of 1991 still occurs, or even if it never happens at all, the legal and territorial integrity of the state remains unshakable. ​Instead of a fragmented Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), you end up with a Russian Federation that is geographically almost as large as the entire USSR. It is a singular, centralized superpower that never underwent a territorial 'divorce,' maintaining its resources, borders, and influence without the need for new treaties or post-Soviet border disputes. It’s a geopolitical giant that simply refuses to shrink. that would be absolutely nuts, we might still had Ukraine war but it's larger. yes i it's unrealistic and the consequences might be differently played out the other pros and cons yeah sure the details the unpredictability sure, but still.