Margaret Thatcher's Vision on the Russian Factor in the International Relations System (Late Twentieth – Early Twenty-First Century)

The article analyzes the memoirs and scientific legacy of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during 1979-1990 Margaret Thatcher on the role of the USSR and Russia in the international relations system of the last third of the 20th ─ early 21st century. The evolution of Soviet/Russian-British relations in the active phase of the Cold War and its gradual extinction is studied: from the categorical rejection of the Soviet political regime at a time of stagnation to the establishment of active dialogue during the period of rebuilding and Gorbachev's "new political thinking". The paper focuses on the predictions of a respected British politician regarding Russia's role in the future of Europe and the world. The role of the nuclear factor in the implementation of Soviet-British relations is analyzed. The process of implementation of the "German question" through the prism of these relations is considered. The role of the United States as an important factor influencing the course of the Soviet/Russian-British dialogue is defined, in particular in the context of NATO's role, operation “Desert Storm”. The paper describes the main problems of Europe and the world, exacerbated during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of interpersonal relations between Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev and the characteristics of his successors as leader of the state: Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin