What influence did their neighbors have on the development of the Western Slavs?

The influence of neighboring countries on the development of the Eastern Slavs was great. Let’s start with the fact that there are versions that it was the Vikings who brought the name Rus to these lands. But more important was the adoption of Christianity, which came here from Byzantium. Kiev had a very advantageous strategic position, because it was along this path that the main trade routes passed, which connected Byzantium and Europe. The Scandinavians traded with the eastern countries, and this gave a great impetus to the development of Kievan Rus at that time.