The book offered to the reader continues the series “Russia - the path through the centuries.” It is dedicated to the beginning of the reign of Catherine II and the foreign policy pursued by her. The ambitious, intelligent wife of Peter III, under the threat of divorce, decided to usurp her husband’s power, which corresponded to her innermost aspirations. The Empress, very popular in the guard, was supported by many who were dissatisfied with Peter III. “The Empress, at the clear and unfeigned desire of all her faithful subjects, ascended the throne, standing in defense of the Orthodox Russian Church, Russian victorious glory and internal order, which had been completely overthrown,” wrote V. O. Klyuchevsky. Catherine turned out to be an active ruler. She successfully solved pressing state tasks, primarily foreign policy ones: the expansion and strengthening of the southern borders of the state and the reunification of Ukrainian and Belarusian lands as a result of the divisions of Poland.