Преокрет у политици лорда Палмерстона према Русији и Османском царству (1827-1833)
Reversal in Politics оf Lord Palmerston towards Russia and Ottoman Empire (1827-1833)

Summary/Abstract: During his stay in the office of British Minister of Foreign Affairs in the fourh decade of nineteenth century, Palmerston directed British foreign policy towards the defense of the Ottoman Empire from those who threatened his existence. It was a vital British interest, because the Ottoman Empire was an obstacle to further advance of Russia to the south, to the eastern Mediterranean. Eastern Mediterranean was very important for Britain, since that way led beeline for India, which was the most important factor in supplying the British with raw materials. It is interesting that Palmerston did not share these sentiments all the time. When the Greeks rebelled against Ottoman rule, Palmerston supported them since he saw that conflict as a struggle of free men against tyranny. In that time he called the Sultan oriental despot. He perceived Russian emperor as the only person who was able to support the brave Hellenes in meeting their goal. Upon arrival at the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs he changed his opinion, although he needed two years to do so. The Sultan clashed with Egypt Pasha Mehmet Ali and the Russian emperor took advantage of that by imposing himself as a factor of peace and increasing the influence of Russia on the Ottoman empire in signing the agreement in Unkjar-Iskelesi in the year of 1833. This event led Palmerston in the situation that he must be confronted with yesterday’s ally and to direct his country’s foreign policy towards saving the Ottoman Empire from the Russian foreign policy, as well as from any other that could jeopardize the survival of the Ottoman state.

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