Thus , one could characterise Poland-Lithuania in its final period ( mid-18th century ) before the partitions as already in a state of disorder and not a completely sovereign state .
Thus one could characterise Poland-Lithuania in its final period ( mid-18th century ) , prior to the partitions as already not a completely sovereign state : it could be seen almost as a vassal , or in modern terms , a Russian satellite state , with Russian tsars effectively choosing Polish kings .