However, its civilization belongs to the same civilization that the Mongols belong to.
Ok... how do Celts and Germanics arise only to level of "culture", but Mongolia all the way to "civilization"?
Mongolia specifically had no civilization, and instead would be absorbed by whomever they conquered. Becoming Sinicized, or Persianized, or Slavicized depending on what they came into contact with.
The Mongols did not have strong opinions about religion, or language... they only cared about your lifestyle. "Living in felt homes" - like us. "Living in houses within settlements" - weak and effeminate, to be taxed and subjugated.
Maybe you can talk instead about a nomadic civilization? Developing from the Scythians, to the Huns, to the Sarmatians, to the Alans, then the proto-Turks, the Uyghurs, Khazars, Kitans, and finally the Mongol "culmination"?
Ukrainian and Russian Cossacks are a continuation of some sort of that steppe nomadic tradition.
You can make a stronger argument for "civilization" then, and even draw certain parallels to modern Russia:
1) Nature defines this civilization I think. Low rainfall and extreme winters - means you have to focus on raising livestock, and moving with it. So... low population density, dispersed settlements, and as a result a big emphasis on military values.
2) The horse being central to all life.
3) No separation between civilians and soldiers as in settled societies. When the country goes to war, everyone is involved by necessity.
4) Leadership is charismatic and conditional, not institutional. The leader has to constantly demonstrate military prowess and generosity to maintain his mandate.
5) Laws that are meant to be enforced through reputation and collective sanction. Focused on compensation over incarceration, and often involving collective punishment of entire kin groups for individuals transgressions.
6) The sense of "country" is people centered, not land centered like in feudal societies. Territories are therefore "resource" and not so much "identity". Borders are amorphous.
7) Externally oriented for extraction rather than Roman style absorption. The name of the game is tribute, trade control, and political leverage. Direct rule over farmers is avoided unless totally unavoidable, and when it is done, it's still through intermediaries.