Akkerman Convention of 1826

Russo-Turkish agreement signed in Akkerman (today, Belgorod-Dnestrovsk in Odessa Oblast) on September 25 (October 7) by M. S. Vorontsov and A. I. Ribop’er for Russia and by Hadi Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha for Turkey.

Russo-Turkish relations were strained in the mid-1820’s for several reasons: the Ottoman Empire’s violation of free commercial navigation in the zone of the Black Sea Straits, its violation of the points of the Bucharest Peace Treaty of 1812 concerning Serbia and the Danubian principalities, and Russia’s support of the Greeks struggling for their independence. On Mar. 5 (17), 1826, Nicholas I signed an ultimatum, delivered to the Turkish government on March 24 (April 5), ordering Turkey to observe the provisions of the Bucharest Treaty with respect to the self-government of Serbia, to withdraw its forces from Moldavia and Wal-lachia, and to dispatch representatives to negotiate a new agreement. On April 22 (May 4) the Turkish government communicated its acceptance of the demands to Russia. Negotiations began July 1 (13), 1826. Turkish diplomacy played for time, counting on Iran’s initial successes in its war with Russia. But the rout of the Iranian army at Sham-khor and Ganja (September 1826) forced Turkey, which was not prepared for war, to sign the Convention of Akkerman.

By the convention, the Ottoman Empire accepted the demarcation line along the Danube proposed by Russia and the transfer to Russia of Sukhum, Redut-Kale, and Ana-kriia. Russian trading vessels were given the right of free navigation in Turkish waters, and Russian merchants were granted the right to trade without hindrance throughout the Ottoman Empire. Domestic self-government was to be restored to the Danubian principalities within six months; the hospodars were to be chosen only from among the local boyars and could not be replaced without Russia’s consent.

The Convention of Akkerman determined the principles of the future structure of Serbia—including independent domestic administration, return of the areas taken away from it, and the unification of all imposts into a single tax. The Convention of Akkerman contributed to the increased Russian influence in the Balkans.