The paper explores the problem of perception of the principles of sustainable socio-economic development in the Russian Federation through the case study of the development of mountain regions. The comparative analysis of international acts, normative legal acts of the Russian Federation and other States allowed us to determine approaches to solving the problems of mountain regions. Theoretical views on the solution to political and legal problems of regional development are studied. The obtained findings suggest that the Russian Federation has the potential to create an organizational and legal mechanism for sustainable regional development, which requires a comprehensive account of social, economic, natural and climatic conditions of life, the historically established way of life and farming. Models of state support for sustainable development of Russian mountain territories are proposed. The author comes to the conclusion that it is possible to ensure sustainable development of mountain territories on the basis of state regional policies by implementing a special «mountain» agenda. The research is valuable and relevant as its conclusions and proposals can form the basis for further improvement of strategic planning documents, normative-legal regulation in terms of accounting and balance social, environmental and economic needs for community development. Consequently, it may contribute to crating specific mechanisms for the sustainable development of the Russian Federation. A number of proposals formed the basis of the law-making activities of the Union of Independent States (CIS).