First Russian consuls in the Ottoman Empire during peace and war (1776–1787)

Abstract

Based on official correspondence, this chapter analyses the activities of Russian consuls in the Ottoman Empire who were appointed to their posts after the Russian-Turkish war of 1768–1774, when the foundation of the network of Russian consular offices in the country was laid. In their reports and letters, the consuls reported on the peculiarities of arriving at their place of service; how they were accepted by local authorities and the population; the difficulties they had to face; and peculiarities of the political culture of the host country. Despite the fact that the Russian consuls had an official status, they sometimes met with hostility from local authorities and elites, including Christians. The Russian consuls were in particular danger with the start of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787–1791. Despite temporary difficulties and conflicts, the activities of the first Russian consulates became an important step in the development of Russian-Turkish relations, demonstrating the possibility of their development through means other than confrontation.