When was Russia actually recognised as a major European power? Throughout the Medieval and early modern period Russia is largely fragmented and ineffective militarily. Sure, ever since the Romanovs Russia has been steadily increasing in size and population, but, by contemporary Western standards, it was still a vast mass of territory that was incoherent, and with only rudimentary communications that made effective political control almost impossible. Even during the times of Peter the Great nobody saw Russia as part of the European mainstream; their lands, however big and impressive, seemed a hindrance rather than help.

Russia’s prestige appeared to be almost non-existent before the 18th century, but by the 1790s they were seen as the arbiter of Europe, and this was even before Napoleon was humbled in Moscow. How did this all happen? Perhaps the military effort was the key: the series of stunningly successful wars against Sweden, Turkey and Prussia made Russia look invincible at times. Was the 18th century Russia’s time in the sun?