Истоки формирования кавказского вектора внешней политики Российского государства (вторая половина XV в.)

Abstract

The research objective includes identifying a starting point of the process of Russia’s assertion in the North and South Caucasus. The paper considers the following issues: activization of the Caucasian vector of Muscovite Russia’s foreign policy, increase of the Russian merchants’ role in the Volga-Caspian international trade in the second half of the XV century. Scientific originality of the study lies in the fact that the problem is considered in the context of profound historical changes. Rapid technological progress, great geographical discoveries, appearance of new world powers __ all these factors contributed to formation of a new world order. The conducted research allows concluding that Ivan the Great and his followers established an outpost in the North Caucasus, which allowed Russia to assert its authority over a vast territory between the Black and Caspian seas.