Speaking from personal experience, I highly recommend that you take into consideration the possibility of it not working out because of the distance factor. I don't know how long this guy is studying in Russia, but I'd say wait until those studies are finished and he's actually there with you on a regular basis before the both of you are absolutely certain that you want to continue on. If you give everything and expect it to work out and something happens to make it go down the tubes.....trust me, the feeling is absolutely devastating. It's wise to stick to your original idea of staying as friends for a while first. In the meantime, the two of you can continue to talk to each other, get to know each other a lot better, and when he is finished in Russia, if you both are still close and still want to be in a committed relationship, that would be the best time to start it rather than right now.

I know it's easier said than done to wait and I'm sure being told to wait or whatever are not words that you want to hear, I hate it too, but I've had this experience and, while my situation was different from yours, it's still just as hard, just as painful, and if, God forbid, the relationship ends and it's not by your choice, it's a deep wound that takes a long time to heal from.

For now, play it safe and take care of yourself. You have plenty of time and if it all works out in the end, it will be that much more rewarding.