Stefan Batory’s military and political plans concerning Moscow state in 1584-1587

In the article, Stefan Batory’s military and political plans are investigated and the relationship between the Polish­Lithuanian Commonwealth and Muscovy during 1584­1587 is analyzed in the context of international relations in Central and Eastern Europe. Difficult internal situation after the death of Ivan the Terrible led to the emergence of crisis in Muscovy, which in turn provoked the neighbors to active action on the international scene. A part of nobility did not support Stefan Batory’s views and as a result there appeared an idea of creating the union between the Polish­Lithuanian Commonwealth and Muscovy. In this article the author investigated and summarized the views and plans of the Polish­Lithuanian elite for solving problems on the eastern border with Muscovy. The gentry did not have a unified view on the issue of relations with Muscovy, so the king and his entourage had to strive for realization of their own version of events in various ways. Some nobles led by Jan Zamoyski contrasted their concept of building relations with Muscovy to Stefan Batory’s plans. The significance of the Lithuanian gentry was essential as well. In the article, the methods of the Polish king, his interaction with the Pope in matters of policy regarding Muscovy are also studied. The positions of various groups of the nobility of the Polish­Lithuanian Commonwealth which they defended in Sejmiks and Sejms are analyzed. The publication considers Embassies of that time and their results. The basic controversial issues in the policy of both countries are investigated