"Russia is a European State. This is clearly demonstrated by the following Observations: The Alterations which Peter the Great undertook in Russia succeeded with the greater Ease, because the Manners, which prevailed at that Time, and had been introduced amongst us by a Mixture of different Nations, and the Conquest of foreign Territories, were quite unsuitable to the Climate. Peter the First, by introducing the Manners and Customs of Europe among the European People in his Dominions, found at that Time such Means as even he himself was not sanguine enough to expect."

Catherine II (Catherine the Great), Nakaz (Instruction) to the Legislative Commission, 1767. Written by Catherine herself over two years and distributed to the 564 deputies she convened to discuss a new law code for Russia.