1 Historical Background
This chapter traces the history of the Russian treaty from its inception during the Kievan Rus to Soviet applications of the instrument. The precise origins of the "treaty" in Kievan practice has not been determined. However, it was from this early period that concepts such as treaty ratifications and "confirmation" were conceived in early Russian law. From there, the chapter follows Russian treaties through post-medieval times, including the inclusion of international treaties within the 1825 Complete Collection of Laws of the Russian Empire. The chapter also takes a look at the so-called "internal treaties," by examining the differences between "international" treaties and "constitutional" treaties given Russia's historic borders and its relationships with neighboring states. Finally, the chapter outlines Soviet treaty policy and its doctrinal philosophies.