Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🗓 June 15 marks 225 years since the birth of Alexander #Gorchakov, an outstanding Russian diplomat and public official.
Alexander Gorchakov became Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire in 1856. In this position, he set out on a mission to rewrite the outcomes of the Crimean War by amending the terms of the Paris Treaty and terminating the Black Sea’s neutral status, as well as recovering control over Bessarabia. Prussia supported him in this undertaking by leveraging its growing European influence.
✍️ “Russia has not grown bitter. Russia is focusing itself”. It was Alexander Gorchakov who penned this famous phrase in a circular letter he sent to Russian embassies on August 21, 1856, instructing his ambassadors to submit it to foreign governments.
It was Gorchakov’s diplomatic prowess that prevented Austria’s entry into the Franco-Prussian War and secured Prussia’s victory over France. The fact that France lost it enabled Russia to announce its refusal to abide by the Paris Treaty provisions limiting its sovereignty in the Black Sea and ensure that other countries recognise this move at an international conference in London, held in 1871.
☝️ It was Alexander Gorchakov’s efforts that enabled the Russian Empire to benefit from a favourable foreign policy environment and carry out the reforms it needed so desperately. They laid the groundwork for a tremendous economic leap forward in the last third of the 19th century.
Alexander Gorchakov believed that national interests must always reign supreme in foreign policy, and the Russian diplomacy has been upholding this principle to this day. Alexander Gorchakov remains a role model for his competence, dedication and selfless service to his Motherland.
📖 The Foreign Ministry has launched an online exhibition marking Alexander Gorchakov’s 225th birthday.
Alexander Gorchakov became Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire in 1856. In this position, he set out on a mission to rewrite the outcomes of the Crimean War by amending the terms of the Paris Treaty and terminating the Black Sea’s neutral status, as well as recovering control over Bessarabia. Prussia supported him in this undertaking by leveraging its growing European influence.
✍️ “Russia has not grown bitter. Russia is focusing itself”. It was Alexander Gorchakov who penned this famous phrase in a circular letter he sent to Russian embassies on August 21, 1856, instructing his ambassadors to submit it to foreign governments.
It was Gorchakov’s diplomatic prowess that prevented Austria’s entry into the Franco-Prussian War and secured Prussia’s victory over France. The fact that France lost it enabled Russia to announce its refusal to abide by the Paris Treaty provisions limiting its sovereignty in the Black Sea and ensure that other countries recognise this move at an international conference in London, held in 1871.
☝️ It was Alexander Gorchakov’s efforts that enabled the Russian Empire to benefit from a favourable foreign policy environment and carry out the reforms it needed so desperately. They laid the groundwork for a tremendous economic leap forward in the last third of the 19th century.
Alexander Gorchakov believed that national interests must always reign supreme in foreign policy, and the Russian diplomacy has been upholding this principle to this day. Alexander Gorchakov remains a role model for his competence, dedication and selfless service to his Motherland.
📖 The Foreign Ministry has launched an online exhibition marking Alexander Gorchakov’s 225th birthday.