[gambiting]

What else could they be? Martians?

They can even call themselves Australian if they want to, but it doesn't change the fact that anything West of Urals is continental Europe. Moscow, most importantly, is a European city, regardless of how Russians feel about such description.

[varjag]

Which brings us to my original point again: noone cares where the landmass is.

Russia does not identify with Europe by choice. On Russian TV there is nothing but mocking Europe and all it stands for; majority of Russians poll as actively hostile to Europe. Russians can't freely travel across Europe (nor can Europeans to Russia). Russia conducts military exercises simulating attacks on European capitals, and actively works to undermine and disintegrate European institutions.

Why do you people insist Russia has to be on the list is beyond me.

[stale2002]

Because what matters is context.

Whether or not Russians fantasize about attacking Berlin has absolutely nothing to do with conversations about tech salaries.

I'd say that in the context of conversations about European tech salaries, Western Russian cities should absolutely be included.

[varjag]

Why not the eastern ones then? There is hardly any discernible ethnic, linguistic or cultural difference between Smolensk and Vladivostok.

[baybal2]

>There is hardly any discernible ethnic, linguistic or cultural difference between Smolensk and Vladivostok.

I will gladly watch what will happen to you if you say that in Vladivostok suburbs after 1:00 am ^_^

"DISCLAIMER: this is a joke and should not be take seriously"

[varjag]

Wouldn't dare going there 1am even with my mouth shut! :)

[dragandj]

Russians can and do travel freely over vast swaths of Eastern part of European continent. This is incidentally a huge chunk of Europe the continent. Moreover, Russians are Europeans. It seems to me you are confused by the adjective European in European Union. European Union is a large union of states, with most territory in Europe. There are (quite a few) more countries in Europe that are not a part of EU. They are 100% as "European" as someone living in EU.

[varjag]

Thanks for taking time to reply, but having grew up in USSR and living in Europe I am not confused by any of above.