If a brief mention of Russia is necessary

The Russians first appeared on the historical stage in the 9th and 10th centuries, alongside the earliest East Slavic communities established around what is now Kiev. At that time, they had no distinct political unity and lived under the pressure of Turkic tribes migrating into Europe.

According to historical sources, unable to establish a strong internal administration, the Russians invited one of the Scandinavian (likely Swedish) Viking leaders to rule over them. This event is generally regarded as the beginning of the Rurik Dynasty and laid the foundations of the Russian state tradition.

Many historians of the period described early Russian society as a culturally backward and primitive community. This people, still unurbanized, lacking a written culture and political stability, occupied a markedly weak position compared to the surrounding Turkic and Byzantine civilizations.

A Period Under Turkic Pressure

Throughout the Early Middle Ages, Turkic tribes, particularly the Pechenegs, Cumans, and Uzes, dominated the steppes of Eastern Europe. The Russian principalities during this era were subject to these Turkic groups both militarily and economically. Some Russian chronicles recount how Turkic raids devastated Russian lands, burned villages, and forced principalities into tribute.

This period can be viewed as a kind of “apprenticeship phase” in Russian history. The Russians were influenced by the Turkic, Byzantine, and Scandinavian cultures surrounding them, adopting elements in both warfare and political organization.

The Principality of Moscow and Its Parallel Rise with the Ottoman Empire

The Principality of Moscow emerged on the historical stage at nearly the same time as the Ottoman Beylik. From the 14th century onward, Moscow gradually gained power in northeastern Russian territories; during the same centuries, the Ottoman Beylik entered a period of expansion in Anatolia and the Balkans.

Initially, the Ottomans exerted influence over Russian lands via the Crimean Khanate. However, the Russians gradually developed militarily, technologically, and administratively. Especially from the 17th century onward, contacts established with Western Europe, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, paved the way for Russia’s modernization.

This development reached its peak during the reign of Peter the Great (Peter the Great). Within a short time, Russia became one of the most powerful states in Europe in terms of technology and military strength.

Ottoman Decline, Russian Ascendancy

The periods of stagnation and decline of the Ottoman Empire nearly coincide with the periods of Russian power growth. During the 18th century, the Russian and Austrian states, both members of the Holy Alliance, inflicted the heaviest blows on the Ottoman Empire—primarily from Russia. However, when evaluating this situation, it must be noted that Russian victories stemmed not only from Russia’s military superiority but also from the weakening structure of the Ottoman Empire.

Russian Expansion: Not Conquest, But Transformation

Russia’s expansion policy differed from that of Western colonial powers. Rather than exploiting territories and withdrawing, as England or France did, Russia tended to incorporate conquered lands directly into its own territory. This is especially evident in the Turkestan region. The Russian administration built cities, opened educational institutions, but pursued this process through policies of Russification and Christianization. Russian was made mandatory in schools, and an assimilation process was initiated in religious and cultural spheres.

Historical Awareness and Contemporary Relations

Although today Russia appears at times as a strategic partner of Türkiye, it is essential to maintain historical awareness.

International relations are based not on friendship but on interests and balances.

Throughout history, periods of friendship have occurred, but whenever interests changed, the balances were always reestablished.

Therefore, without forgetting historical experience, alliances must be maintained as strategic, and concessions as a continuous reflex.

The Russian emergence on the historical stage began under Turkic pressure; over time, they rose alongside the Ottomans and grew stronger through the accumulation of knowledge and technology from the West. The foundations of today’s Russia were laid during this historical process. Yet remembering the balances of the past remains the key to correctly shaping future strategies.