Best GP ally for Russia?

[Cossack_PL]

I'm going to start a Russian game, first years I'm going to only research culture techs, then after N&I and Biologism get rid of the tech school and upgrade the other techs. Before that I would prefer to avoid any bigger conflicts. Later game goals will be dismantling Austria and OE, conquering China and maybe India.
Which GP should I ally? In a test run I allied Prussia, as was adviced in the other threads, but this almost triggered an alliance of Austria and France. Later (around 1842) when Prussians attacked Austria, they got crushed on two fronts (we fought Austria together, but French quickly occupied almost whole Prussia). I'm therefore thinking whether it would be a better idea to ally French instead.

 

[Oliver Twopence]

France is the one.

- You do not border France (nor are you ever likely to).
- France generally has the second most powerfull navy, which can help against the UK.
- France is likely to occupy the highest rank. If you aim for the top you generally want to ally against the UK and not with them.
- France can give the most effective help with Germany, being a natural (and permanent) enemy of them.

 

[El Jojo]

Any european ally will drag you into wars, especially if you become powerful. Allying France will allow you to counter the rise of Prussia, you don't want a strong Germany on your border anyway.
The question is why do you need an ally that early ? Keep good relations with your neighbors until you modernized your army and find an ally when you're ready.

 

[Cossack_PL]

I'm mostly worried that if I do not ally anybody, quickly two blocks may form: UK-Prussia and Austria-France. Unless Pact of Plombieres decision is fired by Piedmont (I'm playing NNM), which will start French-Austrian war, it's quite likely that their alliance may remain until Great Wars, as they obviously will still have good reasons to keep allied.
Prussia was an idea like "if you can't beat them, join them"