The first and only Soviet study of the history of Russian-Austrian and Russian-German relations of the late 19th century, based on archival documents of the former Russian Foreign Ministry and the German collection of diplomatic documents "The Great Policy of European Cabinets." Academician Skaakin's book reflects the complex international contradictions in Central and Eastern Europe during the years when the German Empire entered the European arena. It was at that time that the foundations of future coalitions were laid, the contradictions between which led to the First World War.