Imperial Russia had just laid down the Gangut class when the proposed conference would begin. Only four years after Tsushima, the regime wanted to erase the humiliation of defeat and recover the ability to project strength against Japan, Germany, and other rivals. Naval expansion was therefore bound to prestige as well as operational need. A ceiling offered little attraction to leaders who believed that rebuilding a visibly powerful fleet was necessary to make other states fear and respect Russia again.
Chapter · 34:10-35:29
Russia wants recovery after Tsushima, not a frozen fleet
Four years after Tsushima, Imperial Russia saw the Gangut program as a way to restore military credibility and great-power standing.