Why did Constantinople prevent the emergence of a Russian settlement of merchants? Why did the Queen of France Anna Yaroslavna sign the documents in Cyrillic? Why did the fear of abroad, the habit of scolding and condemning everything foreign get along in Russia with a strong interest in overseas states? Why did France in the 19th century adopt the most tempting collective image of foreign countries, where there is a place for every Russian person? Why did Constantinople-Istanbul become a crossroads of cultures? Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor Vladimir Soloviev will open you unknown pages of the history of the Russian presence abroad.