The publication includes fragments of Western European and East Slavic sources of the XII-XIII centuries .. , which tells about the desire of the Catholic Church and European states to include Eastern Europe in their sphere of influence. Sources describe Russia's defense of its interests, as well as the struggle of the Eastern Slavic principalities with the Crusaders for control of the Baltic States. The publication is accompanied by source studies and historiographical essays, as well as scientific references that allow to more accurately imagine the historical situation against which the events reflected in the sources unfolded. This makes it possible to fit the Crusades into Eastern Europe in the context of the entire crusader movement.