Long-term scientific and research activity of the distinguished historian and preeminent party and government leader academician Ashot Ionnisyan (1887-1972), can be divided into two stages: pre-Soviet and Soviet. One of the important areas of his historical and scientific researches was the coverage of centuries old liberation struggle of the Armenian people that is summarized in his valuable monographs. For obvious reasons, the Soviet Armenian historiography gave an exaggerated assessment to the Russian orientation of the Armenian people, such as fateful, critical, turning point, etc. From the point of view of historical science, A. Ioannisyan's opinion and assessment put forward in his works of the pre-Soviet period appear to be more balanced and reasonable, particularly, on the issues of the Russian orientation of the Armenian people in connecttion with the activities of Israel Ori (1659-1711).

KeywordsA. Ioannisyan Armenian people Russia Israel Ori orientation historiography assessment turning point “Excerpts” Peter the Great Ankeghakot Munich closing speech independence protector Minas vardapet indicator.