ABSTRACT
The expansion of a country should go in the direction which can give that country the most favourable results, and in a direction where there are the least obstacles to overcome. The turning of Russia against Germany, even in the case of victory, could not give Russia anything; and on the other hand, Russia met with the greatest possible resistance. The explanation that Russia was interested in the Balkans, and that Russia fought the Germans as an ally of Austria, does not free Sazanov from the reproach of mistaken policy. First of all, Germany should have been divided from Austria by means of various concessions, if it were wished to carry through certain plans in the Balkans. A proof of the logic of the thesis that the only rational direction for Russia to expand in is Asia, is provided by the contemporary policy of the Bolsheviks and its success.
