Not 'Kieven' but "Kievan". "The joy of [Kievan] Russia is to drink" - Vladimir, ca. 988. In 862 the population had to call in Varangians to import "social order", i.e. civilization proper (per Gostomysl in Nestorian chronicle). It did not take, though.
If it's drink that is the favorite past time then it has a lot of catching up to do to the "civilized" world. Seems Russia is only Number 11 on the list, and Finland isn't really represented since this measure bought in country and we all know that with the Finish ration system, Finns buy all their vodka in Russia and also Finns have the highest alcohol poisoning rate of the world.
As for your comment about Vargars bringing civilizations, was that before or after they pillaged and burned towns up and down Ireland and England? Settled Normandy, a really poor district of France, I've been there and the Normandy Invasion was the best thing to happen to them for 600 years, now they have some tourism. Or attacked and besieged Paris? Yes, Vargars why the empitemy of civilization.
Keep your arguments coming. You pitch em, we'll bat them.