The Last Ambassadors of the Russian Empire. History and Destinies

This book is about the last ambassadors of the Russian Empire who represented our country at a crucial moment in its history. It primarily focuses not on the intricacies of foreign policy, not only and not so much on diplomatic victories and defeats, but mainly on personalities and destinies. It delves into their characters, relationships with colleagues, families, upbringing... These individuals did not just blindly follow the instructions of their Sovereign and Foreign Minister, but with insight, political acumen, and the ability to establish trusting relationships with officials of the host country, often influenced the course of events. Among them were Count Alexander Konstantinovich Benckendorff (ambassador to Great Britain), Alexander Petrovich Izvolsky (ambassador to France), Mikhail Nikolaevich Girs (ambassador to Turkey, later to Italy), Nikolai Nikolaevich Shebeko (ambassador to Austria-Hungary), Prince Alexander Ivanovich Kudashev (ambassador to Spain), Georgy (Yuri) Petrovich Bakhmetev (ambassador to the United States of America), and Vasily Nikolaevich Krupensky (ambassador to Japan).