<P> The Triple Entente (from French entente (ɑ̃tɑ̃t) "friendship, understanding, agreement") refers to the understanding linking the Russian Empire, the French Third Republic, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the signing of the Anglo - Russian Entente on 31 August 1907 . The understanding between the three powers, supplemented by agreements with Japan and Portugal, was a powerful counterweight to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria - Hungary, and Italy . </P> <P> However, Italy did not side with Germany and Austria during World War I and joined the Entente instead in the Treaty of London (1915). </P>

What was the purpose of the triple entente