The article follows the attempts of the Russian Empire to re-annex southern Bessarabia
in the period of 1858-1878. According to the Treaty of Paris of 1856, the Russian Empire lost
southern Bessarabia, which was returned to the Principality of Moldavia. Two years after the
loss of southern Bessarabia, Russian diplomacy begins negotiations with France for the return
of this territory. Only during the Eastern crisis of 1875-1878, the Russian Empire, after a secret
agreement with Austria-Hungary, re-annexed the southern of Bessarabia. During the Russo-Turkish
War of 1877-1878, the Romanian army gave military support to the Russian Empire, which
defeated the Ottoman Empire. However, Romania has not been accepted at the peace negotiations
with Ottoman Empire. According to the Treaty of San Stefano, Romania lost the southern of
Bessarabia, and received Dobrogea as compensation. The Great Powers abandoned Romania,
considering the issue of Bessarabia „insignificant”.
