Nikolay Charykov and Friedrich Martens: The Careers of Two Diplomats

Abstract

Nikolay Charykov and Friedrich Martens played a significant role in shaping the international security system. However, their activities at the Second Hague Conference went beyond cooperation and solidarity. The purpose of the article is to identify the reasons for the disagreement between the two diplomats. The author believes that the reasons for the discord between Charykov and Martens went beyond the proceedings of the Second Hague Peace Conference.One should pay attention to the formation periods for the diplomats, the elements of their views and value systems. The author demonstrates that the life paths of both Charykov and Martens were in many ways similar, yet had significant differences as well. The author points out that there were no significant differences between Charykov and Martens on the fundamental issues of the formation of the international security system. Both believed that international relations should be shaped through the development of international security institutions and the creation of international law.The reasons for the enmity between the two diplomats were subjective. Martens disliked Charykov because, due to his background, the latter was higher in the hierarchy, which guaranteed him, according to tradition established in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, an advantage in obtaining appointments.