Kalmykia in the space of Russian-Mongolian relations in the 20th - early 21st centuries: historical and cultural aspect

Introduction This article within the framework of Russian-Mongolian relations examines the regional aspect of cultural cooperation between Mongolia and Kalmykia in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. The authors investigated a wide range of problems related to the place and role of Kalmykia in the history of Russian-Mongolian relations, studied the development of multifaceted interaction between two kindred peoples. Methods and materials . From a methodological point of view, this study is an experience of building a comprehensive vision of the problem. An interdisciplinary, comprehensive approach to solving current research problems makes it possible to synthesize all relevant aspects of studying the historical and cultural aspects of regional cooperation between Kalmykia and Mongolia within the framework of Russian-Mongolian relations. Analysis . 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet-Mongolian official diplomatic relations. The Agreement between Mongolia and Russia signed on November 5, 1921 strengthened the military-political cooperation between the two countries, served as a broad international recognition of Mongolia as a sovereign state and played an important stabilizing role in the difficult situation in the Far East. In the 90s of the last century, Russia and Mongolia engaged in profound transformations. The scale of the work carried out by our countries demanded to shift all their attention to solving internal problems, which undoubtedly had a negative impact on the level of relations between the two states. Later, having solved the problems of radical transformations of society, Russia and Mongolia began to restore relations, but on completely new principles. In these conditions, along with other industries, the sphere of cultural interaction between Russia and Mongolia, the development of regional cooperation, becomes significant. One of the Russian regions is Kalmykia, which is linked with Mongolia by ancient historical roots, the unity of culture, religion, language and tradition. These factors play an important role in the further strengthening of good neighborly relations between Russia and Mongolia, in the development of regional cultural cooperation. Results . Studying the history of interaction between the two fraternal peoples in the past and present in the aspect of Russian-Mongolian relations provides rich material for an objective assessment of events in specific historical conditions. Kalmykia, like the border regions of Russia, makes a certain contribution to the strengthening of Russian-Mongolian relations.