The paper refers to the development of German-French relations in the context of the United Europe building process, examines historical and sociological background of their present-day condition. It contains the comparative analysis of the sources of discrepancies between German and French political strategies. The author also makes an attempt to analyze the role of these relations in the «German question» transformation. The study investigates the history of territorial evolution of Germany in the 19-20th centuries that prevented consolidation of citizens as well as structuring and creating of institutions. It is concluded that only the convergence of German and French approaches on European politics can help overcome the current crisis of the EU integration mechanisms. Two countries have established a new foundation for cooperation which puts an end to centuries of rivalry between them. But the convergence of their political and economic systems remains a promised task. The prospects of this partnership are considered in the light of Germany's new «European mission».

No abstract

Авторское резюме Австрийская (с 1867-Австро-Венгерская) империя, существовавшая с 1804 по 1918 г., являла собой государственное образование, соединявшее многие народы под властью дома Габсбургов. Заслуга исчезнувшей империи заключалась не только в осуществлении консолидации и модернизации подчиненных ей народов и территорий, но и в сдерживании распространения великогерманских проектов на земли исторического проживания славянских народов. При этом собственно имперская миссия предполагала сдерживание процесса складывания наций у населявших империю народов с сохранением иерархии этносословий. Автор показывает, как империя в процессе своего развития объективно способствовала формированию подчиненных ей народов различных типов национальных движений в зависимости от специфики развития ее конкретных национальных регионов. Исчерпав свою миссию, империя постепенно пришла к своему концу, после чего молодые славянские нации (включая подкарпатских русинов), сложившиеся в империи, получили возможность для развития в рамках различных государственных проектов. Русинское национальное движение, консолидировавшееся в середине XIX в. в условиях общеславянского подъема в рамках империи, не добилось политического закрепления статуса русинского народа и нации, что требует дальнейших поисков конструктивного решения русинского вопроса.

Central Asia is anticipating a transformation related to the need for further multifaceted modernization. However, different conditions dictate different strategies. The development model of Uzbekistan was mostly defined by Islam Karimov, whose death marked the beginning of profound changes associated with the transformation of the sultanistic regime.

Russian diplomacy after the Ukrainian crisis of 2014 is in search of the most effective strategy that would meet the growing challenges of the modern world. The continued fragmentation (“creeping dismantling”) of the mechanisms and institutions on which the bipolar world has been built for decades requires a flexible and adequate foreign policy line that can be used to reduce risks and advance one’s own interests in an ever-changing situation. One of the elements of this strategy is a “turn to Asia” - a promising trend of Russian foreign policy, the consideration of which the author aims at. Based on the results of the analysis carried out in the article, the author comes to the conclusion that such a turn cannot be implemented within the framework of an inertial strategy - but it requires Russia to be active in building qualitatively new relations with other countries of the Asia-Pacific region (both bilateral and multilateral). It also appears that a “reversal” cannot be carried out within the framework of a tacking strategy - since tacking in foreign policy only reinforces the status quo, but does not help to move forward. The author believes that the best option of Russia’s strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is Pro-active construction - that is, building relations of multilateral partnership with all other countries in the region interested in maintaining its sustainable development, peaceful resolution of disputes, the development of interstate trade and cultural exchanges. Developing a strategic partnership with China, Russia is called upon and able to start a dialogue on partnership with other Asia-Pacific countries, using existing dialogue platforms (Asia-Pacific economic cooperation summits) to develop partnerships in different areas.