patron and the father figure for Orthodox Christians in Balkan, a role that Russia as well as the Balkan Orthodox have taken seriously since then 1.
Russian influence is so great in the Balkan that has become a symbol of grandeur and pride for the glory of the Red Army. An example is Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia, erected in honor of Russian troops, who liberated Bulgaria from the Ottomans in 1870. The cathedral shows not only the material culture of Russian influence, but also the cultural and spiritual impact, but also other“ ties”, which are deeply conencted. After the independence of Bulgaria, Russia put forth even more influence in the newly formed Bulgarian state. When Bulgarian Tsar Alexander of Battenberg tried to get independence in decision making by Russian influence, he was forced to leave the country.
In 1900, Russia helped Serbia revolution to topple the pro-Austrian dynasty and pass this Russian influence in Serbia, which has been more convinced as Bulgaria. Montenegro stayed faithful and loyal to the tsarist Russia, because it covers the financial needs of Montenegrin princes.
Years later, we see again an increase of Russian influence in Balkan. Russia, managed to persuade the Balkan countries( Slavonic) in the insurrection during the years 1910-1913. All this was made to damage even more the Ottoman Empire, which was already possible and simultaneously, with this decrease influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the Balkan, particularly in Bosnia and Albania. Russia, through its Balkan obedient countries, managed to remove from its influential close circle, two main powers which were the two main geostrategic opponents. Balkan Wars, made possible that countries such as Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania expand their territories at the expense of non-Slavic territories in the Balkan. All this was a victory for the pronounced presence in the Balkan Russia, as undisputed factor.
World War I started with ' the occupation ' Serbia from Russia, as a defense against Austro- Hungarian Empire. After the end of World War I, Russia was not satisfied with its presence in Balkan. On the other hand the Soviet Revolution was seen with suspicion and fear from Balkan countries( allies). World War II according the Russian approach, returned the normal flow the Russian influence into Balkan. Russia had managed to indoctrinate the Balkan countries in the
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Russia Never Went Away from the Balkans; Marcus Tanner http:// www. balkaninsight. com / en / article / russianever-went-away-from-the-balkans-01-18-2017
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