Srbija i Rusija: 1913-1918

Abstract

Ruska imperija je predstavljala najvažniji spoljnopolitički oslonac Kraljevine Srbije na početku 20. veka. Tokom Aneksione (1908–1909) i krize povodom izlaska Srbije na Jadransko more (1912–1913), usled unutrašnjih problema i nezavršene vojne reforme, Rusija je bila primorana da popusti pred pritiskom Austro-Ugarske. Stvari su se promenile posle balkanskih ratova. Ministar inostranih dela Sergej Sazonov uveravao je da njegova zemlja na nemirnom poluostrvu „ima vere“ samo u Srbiju i da će „učiniti sve za nju“. Postojala je linija preko koje Rusija nije smela da popusti, što se pokazalo u julu 1914. godine. Braneći „malog saveznika“ od uništenja, Rusija je ujedno štitila svoje interese i ugled velike sile. I pored toga, nemerljiv je politički i moralni značaj odluke carske vlade da stane u zaštitu Srbije, nasuprot ekspanzionističkim težnjama Austro-Ugarske. Štaviše, ona je pružila Srbiji šansu da se izbori za opstanak i ispunjenje svojih ratnih ciljeva. U toku Prvog svetskog rata, Rusija je nastavila da pruža obimnu diplomatsku, humanitarnu, materijalnu, finansijsku i vojnu pomoć. Promene, koje su nastupile 1917. umnogome su uticale na Srbiju. Njen najbliži vojno-politički saveznik našao se u vrtlogu burnih unutrašnjih potresa. Zbog slabljenja uticaja Petrograda, inicijative koje je Rusija pokretala u korist Srbije, nisu više imale značajnog uspeha. Dolazak bošljevika na vlast u Rusiji potpuno je promeni karakter srpsko-ruskih odnosa.

The Russian Empire represented the most important foreign policy support of The Kingdom of Serbia at the beginning of the 20th century. During the Annexation crisis (1908-1909) and the crisis over Serbia's outcome into the Adriatic Sea (1912-1913), due to internal problems and unfinished military reform, Russia was forced to yield to the pressure of Austria-Hungary. Things changed after the Balkan wars. Foreign Minister Sergey Sazonov assured that his country in the troublesome peninsula "has faith" only in Serbia and that he "will do everything for her". There was a line beyond which Russia shouldn’t cross, what was demonstrated in July 1914. While protecting its “small ally” from devastation, Russia simultaneously protected its own interests and the reputation of great power. Nevertheless, the political and moral importance of the Imperial government's decision to stand up for the protection of Serbia, against the expansionist aspirations of Austria-Hungary, is immeasurable. Moreover, Serbia was given the opportunity to fight for its own survival, and to accomplish its war aims. During the First World War, Russia continued to provide extensive diplomatic, humanitarian, material, financial and military assistance. The changes that came in 1917, in many ways, had an impact on Serbia. Its closest military-political ally was stacked in vortex of internal turmoils. As the position of Petrograd weakened, Russian initiatives in favor of the Serbia were also becoming less successful. The Bolsheviks’ arrival ahead of Russia totally changed the character of the Serbian-Russian relations