Russia turns east to embrace looming China

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his address at a parenting awards ceremony in Moscow's Kremlin June 2, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin

By Thomas Grove

MOSCOW | Mon Jun 4, 2012 6:05pm EDT

(Reuters) - When Russia opens a "billion-dollar bridge" on its Pacific coast this summer, Vladimir Putin can expect an enthusiastic audience among the 5,000 islanders whom it will connect to the mainland, at an eye-popping cost per head.

Read More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/04/us-russia-china-east-idUSBRE85314M20120604