The wind, which had been so loyal a friend across the Aegean, seemed to abandon Captain Yevgeny Volkov precisely when he needed it most. His merchant frigate, the Mikhail, idled in the waters just south of the Dardanelles, its sails hanging loose and listless under the coming winter sun of November 1829.
Volkov stood on the quarterdeck, his gaze fixed on the narrow mouth of the strait—the choke point that was the lifeblood of Russian Black Sea trade. The passage was usually tense, but today, an unnerving silence replaced the usual bustle of navigation.
"Captain," reported Lieutenant Semyonov, his voice low with concern. "The launch has returned. They were turned away outside the outer defense line."
Volkov didn't need Semyonov to detail the news. The message was already visible in the water. The Turkish coastal forts, particularly the massive stone batteries at Seddülbahir and Kumkale, were not merely manned; their cannon ports were open, glinting like dozens of cold, hostile eyes. The few other ships waiting nearby—Italian, Greek, and British—were already trimming sail, preparing to anchor indefinitely.
"What was the explanation?" Volkov asked, his voice rough.
"A formal communication from the Serasker, Captain. Issued on order of the Sultan. The Dardanelles and the Bosporus are closed to all Russian merchant and military traffic," Semyonov confirmed, licking his dry lips. "Furthermore, the Porte has formally denounced the Akkerman Convention."
Volkov gripped the brass railing until his knuckles went white. The revocation of the Akkerman Convention—a treaty that had guaranteed Russian access and influence—he knew full well what this meant. The closure of the Dardanelles was the opening volley. It was not merely a commercial inconvenience; it was an act of economic strangulation, an affront to the Tsar's authority, and a direct threat to the grain ports of Odessa and the naval base at Sevastopol. In other words, War.
"The straits are shut, Lieutenant," Volkov murmured. The water, so recently a path to home, was now a moat guarded by Ottoman steel. "Prepare to anchor. Signal the other Russian vessels to do so as well. Since soon, war will be upon us. As well as to dock at the port for now, and wait to see how this will play out. If lucky, our motherland will force the ottomans to grant us access."
In all honesty he prayed that they will be able to go through it soon, as he really didn't want to go around on a long journey to get to Russia. They have some money and supplies stored, so waiting for a while shouldn't be a problem.
Thus, all he could do is sigh, as he looked toward the north, seeing only the distant, impenetrable line of the shore. Now, only the power of cannon and bayonet would force the Sultan to reopen the straits.
***
Alexander stood before the long, polished mahogany table in the private conference room of the Winter Palace. It was a cold, high-ceilinged space smelling faintly of tobacco and expensive leather.
Seated around the table were the inner circle of the Imperial Council: his father, Tsar Nicholas I, flanked by Count Egor Frantsevich Kankrin (Minister of Finance), Prince Petr Mikhailovich Volkonsky (Minister of the Imperial Court), and several top-ranking Generals of the General Staff.
The expressions ranged from the severe concentration of the generals to the nervous formality of the ministers.
The news of the Dardanelles closure had galvanized the Empire. This was no longer abstract strategy; it was a direct commercial and political insult.
Alexander took a deep breath, his small stature demanding absolute clarity of voice to command attention.
"Gentlemen," he began, addressing the group formally, "The Sultan has given us the justification for war. The closure of the Straits, the revocation of the Akkerman Convention—these are not mere diplomatic slights. They are acts of economic war and an immediate challenge to the Tsar's honor. Our response must be decisive, efficient, and irreversible."
After bracing himself by taking a deep breath, Alexander walked to a large map detailing the Ottoman Empire, which had been quickly unfurled on an easel.
"The traditional Russian objective—a slow, frontal push through the Balkans towards Constantinople—is a failure trap," he stated, hitting the map near the capital. "It guarantees a prolonged conflict, enormous expense, and, worst of all, immediate intervention from Britain and France. They cannot permit us to hold the Dardanelles."
General Diebitsch, the veteran commander of the Balkan corps, shifted uncomfortably and spoke up.
"Give up on Constantinople?" The commander said authorotativly. "Constantinople has been the dream city of countless Tsars, a goal desired and pursued by all, what do YOU understand."
Nicholas, sitting calmly while sipping his tea simply continued to watch and listen.
Alexander then counters.
"You are a commander, a great one, and dare I say you or anyone here doesn't comprehend the full diplomatic situation. So I will explain."
After closing his eyes and collecting himself, Alexander once again speaks. As memories, insights, and knowledge of a future not yet here flows in his mind.
"We must start with the desires of Great Britain. As many of you are aware Russia and Great Britain have been at odds for the last couple decades. The reason for this is because of the sheer size of our empire. Both in terms of Land, Population, and resources. Great Britain on the other hand is an Island Nation, with a lot of wealth coming from trade, specifically from India.
Great Britain's goals can be summarized in simple words. Prevent a single nation from dominating Europe or prevent the emergence of a unified Europe. Second, To protect its trade and colonies.
And Russia, as in us, are threatening Both. We are incredibly close to India, and we are the most powerful country in Europe with incredible terrifying potential."
The people sitting were listening attentively as the longer Alexander Went on the more serious they became.
Now here is how Constantinople relates to all this. Russia has only 2 notable warm-water ports. One in the black sea, and one in the Baltic. The issue with these two is that they can both be easily blocked off, as can be seen by what the Ottomans did. If Russia did manage to gain a fully accessible year round warm-water port it could threaten the British Naval dominance either in the mediterranean or the Indian Ocean, depending where we acquired it.
So Under No circumstance will Britain, or other European powers for that matter will tolerate that. If we push for it despite this..."
Alexander paused letting the tension build up.
"They will have no trouble forming a Coalition and declaring war on us. Great Britain, France, Austria even."
"Why do you think the treaty of Turkmenchay didn't include a treaty port, or a military base on the cost for Persia? If it included it, granting us full warm water port access to the Indian Ocean, we would have the ability to threaten the British Navy in the Indian Ocean and by extension India."
Even the generals, not well versed in diplomacy understood what Alexander was saying and were persuaded. Albeit, not everyone of course.
"So what! Let them try and invade if they dare, if we are as great as you say, let them see the true might of our Motherland."
Many agreed with his statement as well. After all, not even the great Napoleon, who once dominated and had Europe under on its knees could conquer Russia.
Alexander met the challenge not with pride, but with cold realism. "We won against Napoleon because we traded space for time, and winter fought on our side, not to mention, we had the help of other European Powers. A naval war fought against a global coalition will be a war fought on our Black Sea coasts, our Baltic ports, and even potentially our newly secured territories. If we win, it will be at the cost of decade's of progress and countless lives, and that's if we can even manage that."
He returned to the map, his hand moving to the eastern border. "Which is why the goal of this war, General, is not to chase a symbolic prize. It is to force the Sultan to cede permanent, strategic territory in the Caucasus and to forever guarantee the economic security of the Black Sea. While also... Gaining a new ally."
Alexander said the last words with a smile and a glint in his eyes, as he knows of the perfect peace deal.
Then, they all turned towards the chair where the Tsar was sitting. As he put his cup down and stood up. They all immediately straightened their backs as the Tsar spoke. "All in agreement?"
They were all silent.
"I will take that as a yes then. Now, on to the next topic..."
***
A child collapsed on the chair, sweating and breathing heavily after the conclusion of the meeting and the ministers as well as the generals left. With sweat running down his head.
"How was it?" Asked his father, the Tsar.
"Hard." Was all Alexander could say. That was his first time participating in such a high stress meeting, and it was hard to ignore the judgmental stares shot at him.
"You will get used to it, as many more will be held in the future. You can choose not to participate of course if its too much."
"Father, I want to continue participating, Hard doesn't mean impossible, I will simply get better."
Smiling Alexanders Father shuffled his hair saying, "I'm proud of you. You did well.
Now rest for a bit and then come eat, as I imagine you must be quite so." And his father left the room.
***
The Russo-Turkish War, launched in the January of 1829 following the Dardanelles closure, unfolded with the terrifying precision. In the West, General Diebitsch's large but measured advance across the Danube and into the Balkan heartland served its purpose as the diversion The threat to Adrianople, while distant, was severe enough to anchor the best of the Sultan's reformed army.
In the East, however, Count Paskevich moved with astonishing speed. Leveraging the supply lines hardened by the Persian campaign, Kars fell quickly. Akhaltsikhe followed soon after. The Ottoman resistance, focused on the more prestigious European front, was weak, fragmented, and demoralized. By March 1830, Paskevich had achieved the ultimate objective: Erzurum—the commercial and spiritual capital of Ottoman Anatolia—was under Russian occupation.
The Sultan, Mahmud II, found his Asiatic empire dissolving beneath the feet of an unstoppable general, while his European garrisons were locked in a costly stalemate. The fall of Erzurum proved Alexander correct: the Sultan sued for peace immediately, desperate to save Anatolia. Signing the following peace deal.
The Treaty of Adrianople
Signed: 6th of March 1829
The High Contracting Parties: His Imperial Majesty, Nicholas I, Autocrat and Tsar of All the Russias; and His Imperial Majesty, Mahmud II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Preamble: In the interest of establishing firm, lasting peace between the Empires, resolving the ongoing conflicts in the Balkans and the Caucasus, and securing the fundamental liberties of the Christian subjects of the Ottoman Porte, the High Contracting Parties have agreed to the following terms:
ARTICLE I: Definitive Greek Independence and Territorial Expansion
The Sublime Porte (Ottoman Empire) shall recognize the full and perpetual independence of the Hellenic State (Greece). Furthermore, the Porte shall permanently cede and relinquish all claims, rights, and title to the following territories:
Mainland: The totality of the Peloponnese, Central Greece, Thessaly (excluding Mount Olympus for now), and Southern Epirus.
Islands: The Islands of Crete, Euboea, Samothraki, and the entirety of the Aegean Islands.
Maximum Stretch: The region of Western Thrace, up to the Maritsa River (Evros), shall be ceded and incorporated into the newly expanded Hellenic State.
(The Ottoman Empire retains Constantinople and the eastern bank of the Maritsa River, maintaining its European capital.)
ARTICLE II: War Indemnity and Fiscal Responsibility
The Sublime Porte shall pay the Russian Empire a war indemnity of Fifteen Million Silver Rubles 15,000,000.
Payment Schedule: The indemnity shall be paid over a period of fifteen (15) years in equal annual installments.
Fiscal Stability Guarantee: This sum and payment schedule is calculated to be substantial but is expressly designed not to trigger Ottoman default or insolvency. The Russian Empire reserves the right to impose a temporary increase in customs duties at the Straits (Article IV) should the Porte default on any payment.
ARTICLE III: Territorial Cession in the Caucasus
The Sublime Porte shall forever cede to the Russian Empire the fortresses and districts of Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe, completing the consolidation of the Russian southern Caucasus border.
ARTICLE IV: Guaranteed Commercial Supremacy of the Black Sea
To ensure the free flow of Russian commerce and to prevent future retaliatory blockades, the following shall be secured:
Unimpeded Commercial Passage: Russian merchant vessels, and all vessels carrying Russian-manufactured goods, shall be granted perpetual, free, and unrestricted passage through the Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles) under all conditions (peace, war, or crisis), without exception.
Fixed Commercial Tariff: The Sublime Porte is hereby limited to imposing a maximum customs tariff of 2.5% on all Russian commercial goods passing through the Straits, ensuring favorable economic conditions for Russian trade.
Black Sea Port Concession: The Russian Empire secures a 50-year lease on the strategic deep-water port of Batumi on the Eastern Black Sea Coast. This port shall be dedicated exclusively to the export of Russian oil, metals, and industrial products, and shall be connected directly to the Caucasus rail network.
ARTICLE V: Balkan Protectorate and Neutrality
Danubian Principalities: The Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia shall retain their self-administration, but the Tsar of Russia remains their unquestioned political and religious protector and guarantor of their legal autonomy.
Ottoman Naval Restrictions: The Sublime Porte agrees not to maintain or build any new war vessels in the Black Sea exceeding 1,000 tons. Russia maintains the right to inspect any vessels exceeding this limit.
In witness whereof, the Plenipotentiaries of the High Contracting Parties have signed and affixed their seals to this Treaty.
Done in the City of Adrianople, this 6th day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Nine.
Watching the sultan sign the treaty Nicholas had mixed emotions, first he felt glad of course, Russia won the war, expanded the size of its land in the last one and a half years as well as weakened the Ottomans significantly and gained about to gain a soon to be ally in the Balkans, the newly expanded Greece, by loaning them ten million million silver Rubles.
Making fighting the Ottomans in the future much easier as now they not only had to worry about the front to the east and the west, but also south as well.
'I should improve my political and diplomatic skills...' was what Nicholas Thought.