Again, for many centuries, Russia had closer cultural/political relations with the east and south. Peter's aggressive westernization campaign was conducted due precisely to the fact that western Europe was emerging as the main political power, while its traditional allies to the south and east were either waning and/or being conquered by Russia.
Russians never historically saw themselves as part of the west. They were under neither the influence of Rome, nor under the Holy League. They developed a highly unique culture apart from the west.
The inclusion of Russia as part of the "west", only among a minority of scholars, was a late 19th century phenomenon. Tolstoy, the Russian nationalist to end all Russian nationalists, would have been appalled at being called a westerner.
I think you mean Dostoevsky not Tolstoy. The latter was more internationalist especially later in life.
Evading the issue are we?
Let me explain further: Not sure what your definition of “western” is but if you include the positive aspects of it then there there would never have been any “western” culture without the wisdom of the Levant and that includes Greece ..and even more the “Eastern” Christian Church and its adherents.
Absolutely correct. I agree. I have lived there a few times for a few months and was able to mostly speak the language while immersed in it, after two semesters of formal study. It is a unique culture and one of a kind, imo.