7.00 P.M.: Pourtalès calls on Sazonov and asks him whether the Russian Government is ready to give a favourable answer to the ultimatum presented the night before.
Sazonov replies in the negative and says Russia wants to continue talks.
Pourtalès asks him twice more but to no avail. He then hands over the German declaration of war. Pourtalès is in tears. The two men embrace and Pourtalès asks for his passports.