Background
SAZONOV, Sergey was born on July 29, 1860 in Ryazan’ Province. Son of a nobleman.
Russian statesman and diplomat
SAZONOV, Sergey was born on July 29, 1860 in Ryazan’ Province. Son of a nobleman.
From 1883 dipl work; from May 1909 Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs. September 1910—July 1916 Minister of Foreign Affairs. Pursued policy of rapprochement with Britain and Japan without aggravating relations with Germany and Austro-Hungary.
At the same time tried to bind the Balkan states and Turkey into an anti-AustroHungarian confederation under Russian aegis. Exercized great influence on the Tsar. Conducted negotiations with Germany, culminating in the 1911 Potsdam Agreement.
Concluded 1912 and 1916 agreements with Japan. The deterioration in relations with Austro-Hungary (in the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars) and later with Germany led him to strive for consolidation of the Entente. June 1914, during Austro-Serbian conflict, tried to achieve a compromise and avoid open war.
However, convinced of Germany and Austro-Hungary’s intransigeance, demanded mobilization of the Russian Army, thus precipitating World War 1. 1914-1916 negotiated with Britain and France on military cooperation and future peace terms. 1918-1920 member, Denikin and Kolchak government and their representative in Paris at the peace conference.