Tokton'yazova F.M. The Congress of Berlin in the publicism of O. A. Novikova

Abstract: During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 Russia was under tremendous informational pressure from the Western press. The British press in particular not only criticised all steps that Russia undertook during this campaign (from military operations in the Ottoman Empire to the activity of Russian diplomacy at the Congress of Berlin), but also mispresented some facts with the aim of discrediting Russia’s operations and to conceal Turkish revelries. O. A. Novikova, a Russian publicist, had attempted to convince the English political elite and public opinion of the legitimacy of Russia’s actions. Furthermore, Novikova sought to persuade English liberals to act in the interest of Russia in solidifying peace in the Balkans. The publicist severely criticised the articles of the Congress of Berlin, which undid the significant victories of the Russian army and belittled the interests of the Slavs. She was especially concerned about the question of Bulgaria’s repartition into several parts which in the future developed into the acute political crisis of 1885–1886. Additionally, Novikova emphasized the illegality of the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary and the consequent annexation of that territory to the Empire of the Habsburgs – she regarded this action as a direct violation of the conditions of the Congress of Berlin. Foreseeing the consequences of the Congress of Berlin, Olga Alekseevna Novikova, both in the press and in personal interviews, criticised the actions of the Russian diplomacy regarding them as irresolute and ideologically uncommitted.

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