Russia in the East

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of relations between Russia and the East in history and modernity. The work provides a detailed historical outline of the eastern direction of Russian policy – in terms of both the integration of the eastern lands to the Russian state, and the building of trade, diplomatic, and political relations with eastern countries, primarily with China and Japan. The article examines the perception of the East by Russian intellectuals of the 18–20th centuries, including the problem of awareness of Russian identity. The article analyzes current relations between Russia and the East, in particular, relations with China. It is concluded that for the successful development of the eastern direction of politics, there must be an awareness of the deepest identity of Russian culture, necessary in order to see in the East not “alien” or, conversely, “similar”, but a huge variety of different cultures, approaches and economies, which must be approached rationally, defending national interests. That is why it is necessary to learn to maintain an equal and mutually beneficial dialogue.