Руската геостратегия на Балканите и разделителната линия Изток – Запад, XVIII–XIX в.

Резюме

The presence of Russia in the Balkan geopolitical scene has deep-rooted traditions. Throughout different historical periods, its relationship with the Balkans and interactions with other Great Powers have proven to be a key factor in shaping the fate of the region's states, as well as influencing changes in their political borders, state structure, economic development, and cultural progress within their respective national states. In the struggle for geopolitical and economic supremacy over the "Balkan geopolitical knot," Russia's interests in the 18th and 19th centuries primarily clashed with those of the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary.

Initially, perceptions of the West and the East depend on the postulates of development in the civilizational relations of the Eurasian continent, which determine the differences between its western and eastern parts. Gradually, their socio-cultural, ideological, and geopolitical characteristics are recognized as the primary indicators for the division along the West-East axis. This model for structuring the world is carried out not one hundred percent geographically, but mostly on a cultural principle (which, of course, does not deprive it of its geographical identity). These spaces—the East and the West—should not be viewed as two main, homogeneous, let alone identical entities, as the notion of them should not exclude their complex internal structure, predetermined by historical events in the
mentality-civilizational sense of the geopolitical worlds and the various forms of self-identification and identification of the communities inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula. It is precisely the circumstances leading to these self identifications in the Balkan area that are crucial for understanding the contemporary spatial relations between the West and the East. Two significant civilizational boundaries pass through the Balkans—the one between Orthodoxy and Catholicism on one side and between Christianity and Islam on the other. There is a disintegration of national and local cultures, in terms of the ethnic diversity in the region.

The characteristic phenomenon created by the processes of the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire is precisely Balkanization. In the context of its manifestation in various forms of division and the formation of hostile sentiments among unstable neighboring national states in the 17th century, Russia's interest in the Balkans is primarily directed towards expanding its territory and influence, with Balkanization fitting well within this goal. The Russian Empire is still in its early stages and seeks to establish a strong presence in the region. The Balkans, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offer Russia a strategic "gateway" to the Mediterranean Sea, which is crucial for its further maritime ambitions. Furthermore, Russia's interests in the region are motivated by the presence of Slavic Orthodox Christians.

In the 18th century, with the emergence of the Eastern Question, a peculiar change in the balance of power in the Balkan Peninsula and Eastern Europe occurs. The Eastern Question, defined as a "complex problem with various aspects—political, military, strategic, economic, social, religious, and cultural" (Parev, 2018, p. 23), becomes a turning point for the Balkans as it significantly contributes to the division of the region between the East and the West in political, ethno-cultural, and psychomental aspects.

The relations between the Great Powers influence the peoples living in the Balkans, as their interests often clash with the aspirations of the local population for independence and self- determination. The Great Powers definitely pursue their own interests at the expense of the local population, which leads to unrest, conflicts, and tension in the region. Russian diplomacy in the Balkans is characterized by a combination of military force and political maneuvers. The desire to establish and maintain a "buffer zone" between the Ottoman Empire and the rest of Europe remains as a guiding principle. It is not coincidental that Bulgaria and its neighboring young national states are at the center of attention, both in Russia's geopolitical strategy for the Southeast European region and in terms of cultural historical and mental divisions along the East-West axis.

The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 fueled Russia's ambitions in the following decades, as the country pursued an intensified policy of "Pan-Slavism" aimed at uniting all Slavic peoples under Russian leadership. With the decision of the Berlin Congress for the regions of Macedonia, Adrianople, and Bosnia to remain within the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire, significant problems arose in the Eastern Balkans from 1878 to 1914. The Balkan Peninsula played a strategic role for the Russian Empire in terms of economic ties, transportation, and communications. During the 19th to the early 20th century, Russia, due to its economic and military-technical challenges and its lag in armament compared to other European powers, sought to maintain the status quo imposed by the Berlin Treaty.

Regardless of its cautious behavior, Russia aimed for dominance in bilateral relations with Balkan peoples based on their Orthodox and Slavic backgrounds. The duality in Russia's geostrategic line only emphasizes its lasting interests in the region, which are directed towards the future. Russia uses existing traditional cultural, ethnic, and historical connections as a basis for creating a Balkan Slavic union. However, this endeavor proves to be impossible considering the strategic and conceptual aspirations of the Balkan peoples. The duality in Russian policy towards Bulgarian-Turkish relations aims to preserve the status quo on one hand, while on the other hand, it seeks to control all issues related to Macedonia and prevent agreements between the Ottoman Empire and the Principality that could lead to the creation of a large state in close proximity to the straits.

The objective circumstances and geopolitical interests of Russia outlined in the discussed period largely persist in the period before, during, and after the First World War, despite historical upheavals. These interests continue to exist during the periods of the Second World War and its aftermath as lasting Russian interests in the region, convincingly demonstrating that, although modified, the Russian geopolitical strategy firmly establishes itself in the Balkans.

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