Ottoman–Russian relations

Ottoman–Russian relations have historically been shaped by competition for influence and territory, especially in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. Russia sought to expand southward to access warm-water ports and promote Orthodox Christianity, while the Ottoman Empire aimed to preserve its vast territories. These rivalries often led to wars, such as the wars in the 18th and 19th centuries, and influenced European geopolitics. Alliances and conflicts fluctuated over time, ultimately contributing to the decline of the Ottoman Empire and shaping modern national borders in the region.