This collection, which opens the preface of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov, contains articles by famous historians, political and public figures, international experts and practical diplomats on the prehistory of World War II. The articles and documents presented in the book are undoubtedly interesting not only for specialists in Russian history and the history of international relations, but also for a wide range of readers who are not indifferent to the fate of Russia.