РУСКАТА ПОЛИТИКА ПО АРМЕНСКИЯ ВЪПРОС – ОСНОВНИ АКЦЕНТИ (КРАЯ НА XIX – НАЧАЛОТО НА XX В.).

The Armenian question was one of the most difficult and complicated national matters in the Ottoman Empire. After the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) and the subsequent Treaties of San Stefano and Berlin, the Armenian question gained international recognition. In this way it permanently entered the realm of contradictions between the great powers and became part of the larger Eastern question. By including clauses in the peace treaty that affected the safety of Armenians, St. Petersburg demonstrated a leading role in the Armenian question with the intention to use this in order to expand and consolidate its influence in the Ottoman Empire. However, Tsarist Russia's policy on the Armenian question was very reluctant and contradictory. On the one hand, St. Petersburg's leaders wanted to use the pro-Russian sympathies of Armenians to increase their influence among the Christians in the Empire and thus interfere in the Ottoman’s internal affairs. On the other hand, the Tsarist government did not intend to engage in the fate of Armenians. Ultimately, Russia’s behaviour became one of the main reasons for the catastrophic end of the Armenian question during the First World War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]