The historical path of Russia and the modern problems of turning to the East

Abstract

As part of the introduction, the relevance of the topic under consideration is substantiated. Russia's turn to the East has become one of the key strategies in response to the geopolitical challenges of the 21st century, including Western sanctions pressure and the need to diversify foreign policy contacts. Attention is focused on the historical background of this process. The work uses historical and analytical methods, as well as a comparative approach, which made it possible to assess both chronological aspects and the dynamics of changes in Russian politics. A wide range of sources has been used, including historical documents, economic analysis, and current data from international organizations. The study revealed that Russian policy in the East has deep historical roots dating back to the period of the Moscow Principality and the development of Siberia. The modern "turn to the East" prevails in trade, economic and energy areas, primarily through partnerships with China, India and the ASEAN countries. However, the processes are hampered by internal contradictions, such as logistical constraints, lack of infrastructure on the eastern borders, and the inertia of existing relations with Europe. It is stated that a successful turn to the East requires not only political will, but also long-term transformations in the economy and transport, as well as building trusting relationships with partners. The author emphasizes the importance of integrating historical experience in the implementation of current strategies. The conclusions of the article emphasize that Russia's historical path, despite the difficulties, can be used as a basis for building a successful Eastern policy. The development of cooperation with the East seems to be an important step to ensure the multi-vector nature of the country's foreign policy.