oh of course i didn't mean to downplay the effects of european orientalism. honestly, russia could easily have become another part of western europe if things weren't like they are. ik russia was willing to get a lot closer to the west at one point. i don't know what exactly kept the us from making russia another oil kingdom like saudi arabia but i know the europeans would get a little bit upset. honestly it's a miracle they can even get along with each other. but i guess i'm kinda digressing now.