Russia still has a medieval mindset. They are not of the West. They had no Renaissance, no Enlightenment, no Reformation, no Democratic/Republic tradition or history. They went straight from medieval absolute autocracy under the Czars, to communist tyranny under the leftists. They emerged, and they didn't seem to know what to do. They're like that kid who was extremely sheltered, home schooled, isolated, and abused by his dad, then shows up one day at 18 at UT (or Texas State, even better). A fish out of water in the modern world.
Dugin strikes me as a kooky occultist, but he does seem to really understand the Russian mindset in a deep, maybe even spiritual way. Those people don't think like us. Totally different thought patterns and ways of viewing the world. I've known some. Good people, but coming from a much different place both geographically and mentally. Same with the Bulgarians I've know. Very hierarchical. And once a decision has been made, dissent is not viewed kindly.
A "liberal" Russia -- good luck with that.
I just want them to be themselves and stop invading other sovereign nations. They're really good at hockey, ballet, fine crystal making, Easter egg making, classical music, rocket science, and other things.