Easterly component in the historical dynamics of Russia: origins of formation

Russia, historically situated amidst equivalent state and cultural entities such as the Roman Catholic West, Byzantium, and the steppe empires of Eurasia, has evolved as a region characterized by significant dialogue potential and extensive cultural exchange. It represents a natural space for integrating geostrategically significant territories. A pivotal determinant in Russia’s development has been its cultural and civilizational interactions with the Eastern world. Understanding this dialogue is crucial for interpreting modern global processes, where the countries of the “global East” are the “world majority”, with Russia as a core actor. A retrospective analysis of Russia’s initial interactions with its eastern neighbors reveals a culturally and civilly enriching process that exhibited notable self-sustaining capacity over time. This interaction was not merely transient but manifested as enduring traditions among the peoples, deeply ingrained within their respective cultures. This article presents the author's interpretation of Russia’s early recognition and engagement with socio-cultural systems of Eastern origin. It emphasizes a comprehensive analytical approach to examining Russia’s relationships with entities such as the Volga Bulgars, Khazars, Mongol-Tatars, and Byzantines.