The main meaning of the article in many respects echoes the article by Eric Engheim (https://erik-engheim.medium.com/western-blame-for-escalating-tensions-in-the-ukraine-ebd8d9264a08) that the behavior of all states and the mentality of peoples have deep historical roots. And this cannot be changed at the snap of a finger (especially in the direction someone needs).
The article is valuable in that it gives the Western teacher at least some idea of the Mongol-Tatar yoke. As for a more in-depth understanding of this phenomenon, here it is presented rather vulgarly and tendentiously (this rough "picture" became widespread in anti-Soviet / anti-Russian propaganda journalism during Perestroika and is not combined with historical science). There is a Russian joke about this: “Why do Russians live so badly?” “Because we were under the Tatar yoke for 250 years.” “So why do Tatars live badly?”
Of course, the yoke slowed down the historical processes in Russia, but its essence and consequences are greatly distorted.
"After freeing themselves from the Tatar Yoke, Russian rulers did not know any other social order."
1) The yoke was not a social order. It was a form of dependence, which for a long time mothballed the development of socio-political institutions.
2) The Russians were familiar with the democratic traditions that were developed in the Russian principalities of the Middle Ages, especially in Novgorod.
3) A truly strong influence on the Russian mentality and political traditions is still exerted not by the yoke, but by the centuries-old autocracy. Its phenomenon lies in the existence of a sole power, not limited by absolutely anything and capable of directly interfering in the activities of any public institutions. However, it would be a big mistake to equate autocracy and totalitarianism (although serious sociologists have not used this crude, manipulative term for a long time).
About Ukraine. It signed an association agreement with the EU 8 years ago. Do you know anything about the growth of the Ukrainian economy during this time?
