Russian-French Agreements of 1891-1893 in International Relations at Turn of 19th and 20th Centuries

Abstract

The article is dedicated to Russia’s European policy from the formation of the German Empire in 1871 to the beginning of World War I. It examines the historical conditions, reasons, and nature of the Russo-French military-political alliance of 1891-1893. The role of Emperor Alexander III in the political rapprochement between Russia and France on an anti-German and anti-Austrian basis is demonstrated. The existence of mutual interest between Russia and France in forming a military-political alliance is revealed. The Bierk Treaty of 1905 between Emperors Wilhelm II and Nicholas II is analyzed, showing that this treaty fundamentally contradicted the development of military-political cooperation between Russia and France and therefore was not implemented. The conclusion is drawn regarding the significance of the Russo-French alliance of the early 1890s for the foreign policy and historical destiny of the Russian Empire. Germany's interest in strengthening its influence on the foreign policy of the Russian Empire is shown. It is proven that Germany’s attempts to attract Russia to its side did not succeed, and Russia maintained its alliance with France, which was more significant for it during the period under consideration, despite the fact that ultimately this alliance led to the involvement of the Russian Empire in a world war.