Starting diplomacy:
Russia was in Livonian war (1558-1582) against Poland-Lithuania and Sweden over Livonia.
1571 Crimean Tatars burned Moscow.

Poland-Lithuania – in war
Sweden – in war
Crimean Tatars – almost in war
Ottoman Empire – very bad

Russian army

Basis of Russian army created Ivan IV who created special units – Strelcy (Стрелецы) which he used to control boyars. The way of organization, wages and accommodation of them give Strelcy status of standing army.
From the mid of XVI century great reformation started. Standing army was created towards western patterns. Mercenaries from Scotland, Sweden and Germany became command personnel of cavalry, infantry and others. Mercenaries lived in separated military areas, where they owned land. With Strelcy and Cossacks they made well equipped army. Reform was done by general Vasiliy Golitsyn in 1678.