For much of Russia's history it's been a vassal of Eastern power.
Even national hero Alexander Nevsky defeated the Germans as vassal to the Great Khan of the Golden Horde.
It took centuries to get free from the East.
It took Vladimir Putin just a year to bring back the "yoke"
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/IlvesToomas/status/1637759013772247040