Complex sentence: In the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian Empire sought to expand its international presence by creating new spheres of influence, and the Empire looked to the Arab world as both sides shared a common hostility towards the Ottoman Empire.
Split into simpler sentences: In the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian Empire sought to expand its international presence by creating new spheres of influence, and the Empire looked to the Arab world. The Russians were also further motivated to increase it's presence in the region, as both the Russians and Arabs shared a common hostility towards the Ottoman Empire.