Russian Consulate in Cape Town

📜 On March 3, 1878, the Treaty of #SanStefano was signed in a town west of Constantinople (now Istanbul), marking Russia’s victory in the war with the Ottoman Porte of 1877−1878. Under the Treaty, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro became fully independent states, with Bulgaria, which had been almost 500 years (!) under Ottoman rule, gained autonomy. Bulgaria marks March 3, the day the San-Stefano Treaty was signed, as the Liberation Day. The victory of Russia in the war against the Porte and the signing of the San Stefano Treaty laid the foundation for future relations between Russia and Bulgaria. The ties between our two countries developed step-by-step for a long time. #HistoryOfDiplomacy: A key role in signing the Treaty of San Stefano was played by prominent Russian diplomat Nikolay Ignatiev, who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire to the Ottoman Porte for over ten years. It was him who signed the Treaty on behalf of the Russian Side. *** 🇷🇺🇧🇬 Today, #RussiaBulgaria relations have been brought to a zero point. The current Bulgarian government pursuing an openly Russophobic policy, destroying the foundation of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 💬 Russia's Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova: “It was not us who initiated the downgrading of official contacts — that was the decision by [Bulgarian] authorities. As for us, we have always stressed that dialogue was important, even when our positions do not align.” “Ignoring Russia while celebrating the anniversary of the liberation from the Ottoman oppression is a betrayalof the truth and a sign of disrespect for the thousands of Russian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom of the fraternal Bulgarian people". (excerpt from an interview Epochtimes.bg on the eve of the Liberation Day in Bulgaria, February 27, 2025) ☝️100'000 Russian soldiers sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Balkan nations, including Bulgaria. #RussiaBulgaria#HistoryOfRussia