Cooperation between the Russian and Montenegrin Diplomats in the Early Twentieth Century: The Problems of Professional Dialogue

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, cooperation between Russia and Montenegro was not easy. On the one hand, the Russian Empire made great efforts to help Montenegrins in the process of state-building and in achieving the foreign policy objectives by the principality, which had recently been recognized by the international community. On the other hand, relations between officials at various levels were rather tense. Russia and Montenegro permanently had different views a number of controversial issues. The Russian government firmly adhered to the status quo policy in the Balkans. Montenegrin Prince and his entourage hoped to increase their territories, and after 1878 were ready to break the balance in the region. All attempts of the Russian diplomats to control and restrain the activity of the junior partners ended with the increase in tension and mutual discontent. Russian leaders considered the behavior of the Montenegrin elite as ingratitude. However, the problem of constant tension in bilateral contacts was much more complicated. Such factors as the national-psychological characteristics of the Montenegrin people, their specific militant mentality and readiness to fight back anyone who encroached on national independence, played a serious role in the deterioration of the situation. In addition, the surviving remnants of the tribal way of life, extremely low level of education in the Principality, acute shortage of qualified personnel in the public service of Montenegro contributed to increasing frictions between the Russian and Montenegrin diplomats. Scholars involved into a comprehensive study of this small Slavic country understood the particular national character of Montenegrins better. Pavel A. Rovinsky was an excellent expert on Montenegrin mentality. His answers on many seemingly intractable questions one can find in his writings. Based on his research, we can today take a fresh look at the difficulties of the professional dialogue between the Russian and the Montenegrin leaders.