From Amur issue to Russian business: national interests of Russia in the Far East

With the implementation of Russian strategy of pivot to the East, its Far Eastern region becomes increasingly important, as it could be the gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. However, in order to take full advantage of the region's potential and to ensure the country's national interests in the Asia-Pacific region a number of specific problems of the region should be solved. However, it is impossible without a clear understanding of the national interests of the country. Russia already has this experience as it attempted to integrate with Asia, using potential of its Far East and promoting its interests there in the 19th century. An analysis of the historical sources shows that priority national interests of Russia in the Far East were populating and integrating the region. These interests are still topical for Russian Far East nowadays.