Morning: Sazonov meets by chance Pourtalès
Posted on July 26th, 1914 by admin
Morning: Sazonov meets by chance Pourtalès on the train from Tsarskoe Selo to St Petersburg. They both have summer houses near Tsarskoe Selo.
Sazonov indicates Russia has peaceful intentions and is willing to find a means of procuring legitimate satisfaction for Austria-Hungary. They discuss mediation options.
Pourtalès suggests direct talks between Russia and Austria-Hungary even though this would require some modification of Vienna’s position.
Sazonov says the balance of power in the Balkans is a vital Russian interest and Russia cannot tolerate the reduction of Serbia to a vassal state of Austria.