What role did the Varangians play in the emergence of the two state centers

What role did the Varangians play in the emergence of the two state centers of the Eastern Slavs? Can we assume that they were the creators of the ancient Russian state?

It is known that in 862 the Varangians came to the lands of the Novgorodians. After that, Rurik began to rule in Novgorod, and Askold and Dir established themselves in Kiev. From this very moment the history of Kievan Rus begins. They can be considered the founders of Russia, since they carried out a kind of collection of the lands of the Slavs and the centralization of power. So Kiev and Novgorod became political centers.