Abstract: The article identifies and analyzes the views of modern French researchers on the relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The study of the works of French scientists makes it possible to analyze Russia's foreign policy not only in relation to its closest neighbor, the Republic of Belarus, but also in relation to the entire post-Soviet space.
The subject of the study is the relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the late 1990s – early 2000s. The article is an attempt to fill the gap in French historiography and analyze the relations between the two former Soviet republics through the prism of French studies. The article also examines the assessments that French authors give to integration associations in the post-Soviet space, as well as to the interaction between the two states in the military and economic spheres. The study is relevant due to the fact that it is the first time the French works devoted to Russian-Belarusian relations in the post-Soviet period have been analysed.
Historical, narrative, and comparative-historical methods of historical research were used as the main methods.
The author comes to the conclusion that, according to the majority of French researchers, since the collapse of the USSR, relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus have been the strongest and most stable compared to other former Soviet republics, despite the obvious great dependence of Belarus on Russia. Moreover, the participation of both countries in the same integration associations and the creation of a common Union State not only speaks about the similar interests of both countries, but it further strengthens the relationship between them.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the goals of the Russian Federation therein. This article aims to fill the gap in French historiography and analyze the goals of the Russian Federation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization through the prism of French researchers. An overview is given to the assessment given by French authors to Russia’s goals in this organization at the stage of its foundation, establishment and development, as well as the overall goals of the Russian foreign policy in post-Soviet space and Central Asia. Special attention is given to the security and energy issues, as well as the growing influence of China and the United States in Central Asia. The relevance of this work is substantiated by the analysis of French research dedicated to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the goals of the Russian Federation therein, which is carried out for the first time. For article leans on the monographs and articles by the French historians, political scientists, and experts in the area of international relations dedicated to foreign policy of the Russian Federation in the early 1990s – late 2000s and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The conclusion is made that according to the majority of French researchers, the Russian Federation uses the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to strengthen its positions in Central Asia, as well as on the international arena.

Abstract: The subject of the research is the role of E. Primakov in Russia's external policy as viewed by French researchers. Trifonova analyzes Frency researchers' evaluations of E. Primakov's activity in late 90s and his influence on Russia's foreign policy in general. She focuses on monographs devoted to the newest period of Russia's history as well as researches of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in late 1990s - early 2000s. The main research methods include historical, narrative, and comparative methods of historical research. The rationale of the research is caused by the fact that for the first time in the academic literature the author analyzes the views of French researchers on the foreign policy of the Russian Federation of late 1990s. Primakov is a famous scientist and politician who held different state positions, headed the Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service and being assigned for the position of the ministry of foreign affairs managed to fundamentally change the direction of external policy of Russia in early 1990s. E. Primakov managed to spin around the focus of Russia's foreign policy towards the East and post-Soviet countries. That was noted by French researchers, most of them believed E. Primakov to be one of the main makers of contemporary Russia's foreign policy. The main conclusion of the research is that E. Primakov's activity made a significant influence on Russia's foreign policy of late 1990s and development of this policy in recent years.