Perception of the East and the tasks of Far Eastern policy of Russia in the views of V.N. Kokovtsov and P.A. Stolypin

Abstract

Activity of V.N. Kokovtsov and P.A. Stolypin, associated with the situation of Russia in the Far East after the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, was held in the conditions of the need to solve the tasks of restoring the fighting capacity of the Russian army, improving the defense capability of the Far East and integrating this region within the empire. Under these conditions, the understanding of the importance of supporting the eastern regions of the Russian Empire was expressed, in which there was great potential for socio-economic development, while recognizing the need to avoid military clashes in Asia. V.N. Kokovtsov was involved in the Far Eastern and became Wittes successor as finance minister, since this ministry continued to play a decisive role in Eastern politics. Witte focused on the development of external relations between Russia and the Asian states and the desire to strengthen Russias influence in the Far Eastern region, and then the eastern policy after the Russo-Japanese War was more oriented toward the development of the eastern territories of Russia. With the growing awareness of the importance of the internal eastern regions of Russia, the negative attitude towards the eastern states with which Russia bordered was strengthened. In general, the governments program for the economic development of the Far East gave impetus to the development of the region.