How did the Russian method of imperialism differ from that of France and Britain?

One of Russia's main territorial objectives was to control the straits leading from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Russian expansion in the Balkans threatened to upset the balance of power in Europe. in 1877, Russia renewed her efforts to extend her influence into this region by initiating war with the Turks. Russia won the war and it strengthened her position in the Balkans while virtually pushing the Ottomans out of Europe. But then other European nations got involved and they forced Russia to back down from some of the gains she had won from the Turks.