| Popis: |
The article highlights the interests of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus region. It is emphasized that in the 16th and 17th centuries the main motives for the expansion of the Russian State in the Caucasus were determined by strategic tasks, but the aspiration to expand to the South of the country was also important. Famous Russian Historians M. Lyubavsky, M. Polyev-ctov and others argued that Russia's interests in the Caucasus and the Caspian were characterized by colonial aspects from the very beginning. Thus, the prevailing view in Russian historiography that leaders of the Russian State were pushed into the Caucasus by purely altruistic reasons, driven by the generous mission of rescuing Christian peoples from violations and religious aggression by the Muslim peoples cannot stand criticism. From the end of the 18th century, the Caucasus issue was closely linked to the Eastern question, which was a major international policy issue. According to Russia's imperial ambition, the Caucasus, as a path to the East, was to become a new springboard for its influence in the Middle East. In the 19th century, the problem of the Caucasus was solved by Russia in its own favor, by exterminating opposing Iran and the Ottomans from the region in successful wars, and gaining dominance in this disputable space. This situation lasted for almost two centuries. The locals considered Russia an aggressor who did not liberate the Caucasus, but conquered it. After a long dominance in the region, the Russian Federation still cannot give up the Caucasus and considers it a zone of "its special interest". |
