I think seeing how things ended up for Russia after they opened up to the west in the 90s when the Harvard economists swooped in to transform then into a capitalist country explains most of it [1] [2] It is different for many young people with studies, who know english and see an opportunity and a high enough chance that if they incorporate themselves into the western world, they would be able to improve their place in life. But for older and less prepared people, specially the ones that lived through the 90s, probably see opening up to the west in a different light.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Privatizing-Russia-Press-Maxim-Boycko...

[2] https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b150npp3q49x7w...