Photo: Pasajero 0//wikimedia.org
The correspondence of Russian Empress Catherine II with Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II in 1783, and letters and reports from Russian diplomats about the annexation of Crimea to Russia are posted on the website of Russian Embassy in Austria. The documents eloquently indicate that advanced European forces of the 18th century welcomed the inclusion of Crimea in Russia.
The Crimea in The History of Russian-Austrian Relations online exhibition, prepared by the embassy staff, is timed to the 5th anniversary of the reunification of Crimea with Russia. The website of Russian Embassy in Austria is publishing digitized versions of unique historical documents from the Archives of Foreign Policy of Russian Empire from 1783 to 1787. Users can get acquainted with the originals of handwritten documents and read brief annotations.
The online exhibition opens with a letter from Joseph II to Russian Empress, in which he congratulates Catherine II on an "important acquisition" made "without a single shot or casualties". The emperor reports that he is taking on the job of “admonishing the Turks” so that they would accept the loss of Crimea without a war. Catherine II responded with an equally respectful letter, promising Joseph II to support his actions in defense of the interests of his country.
Also on the website, there are letters of Russian diplomats, which reveal the details of cooperation between Russia and Austria regarding the Crimean issue and relations with Turkey. In addition, there are reactions to the settlement of issue of the leading countries of that era, France, Prussia and Great Britain. In addition, from further correspondence you can learn about the visit of Joseph II in the Tauride region in 1787.
Russkiy Mir
