The Grand Duchy of Moscow, under the leadership of Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, expanded its territory and consolidated power over the surrounding regions. In the 17th century, the Tsardom of Russia emerged as a major European power, with Peter the Great initiating a series of reforms that modernized the country and expanded its influence.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Russia continued to expand its territory through a combination of military conquest and colonization. During this time, the country also experienced major cultural and social changes, including the abolition of serfdom and the emergence of a new intelligentsia.

The early 20th century saw the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, a socialist state led by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union became a major global superpower and played a leading role in the Cold War, a period of political and ideological tension between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies.

The Soviet Union experienced significant political, economic, and social changes throughout the 20th century, including the reigns of leaders such as Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, and Mikhail Gorbachev. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the emergence of the Russian Federation, a democratic state with a market-oriented economy.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has faced a number of challenges, including economic instability, political turmoil, and ongoing conflicts in regions such as Chechnya and Ukraine. Under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Russia has sought to reassert its influence on the global stage and has engaged in a number of high-profile foreign policy initiatives.