History of diplomatic relations
Formal diplomatic relations between Spain and Russia date back to the early eighteenth century and the establishment of the Russian Empire in 1721. Peter Bredal led a diplomatic mission to Spain that year on behalf of Tsar Peter the Great, and in July 1722, diplomatic relations were officially established, and a Russian diplomatic mission was opened in Madrid. [6] The first ambassador, Sergey Golitsyn [ ru ], was appointed on 22 April 1722. [7] Diplomatic relations were broken off several times, the first being by Spain in 1730, as part of maneuvers to more closely align with France. The two countries were on opposite sides during the War of the Polish Succession between 1733 and 1735, and the War of the Austrian Succession between 1740 and 1748. Diplomatic relations were only fully restored in 1759, with Pyotr Repnin [ ru ] appointed envoy on 4 July 1760. [6] [7] The exchange of envoys continued thereafter until they were once more broken off by Spain on 15 July 1799, by which time Spain was now allied with the French First Republic, and Russia entered the War of the Second Coalition against France and its allies. [6] Relations were restored on 14 May 1802, following the signing of the Treaty of Amiens. They continued during much of the Napoleonic Wars, until 20 September 1812, following the start of the French invasion of Russia in 1812. New ambassadors were once more appointed following the final defeat of Napoleon in 1815 and the dismantling of his empire. A further break, this time by Russia, took place in 1835, but relations were restored in 1856. In 1899 the mission was upgraded to an embassy. [6] Relations were maintained following the February Revolution brought the end of the Russian Empire and the establishment of the Russian Provisional Government, but were broken off after the October Revolution and the Bolshevik seizure of power. [6]
Diplomatic relations remained broken until 28 June 1933, when the Soviet Union established relations with the Second Spanish Republic. The Soviet Union supported the Republican side against the Nationalists during Spanish Civil War, until the Republicans' ultimate defeat in 1939. [8] Spain was ruled thereafter by a right-wing dictatorship led by Francisco Franco. Diplomatic relations were only restored after Franco's death in 1975, and the Spanish transition to democracy by 1977. The exchange of ambassadors resumed with the appointment of Sergey Bogomolov [ ru ] on 19 February 1977. [9] Exchange of ambassadors continued throughout the rest of the existence of the Soviet Union. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Spain recognised the Russian Federation as its successor state. Igor Ivanov represented Russia until 1994, and since then ambassadors have continued to be exchanged between the two countries. [8] On 13 June 1995, diplomatic relations were established between Russia and Andorra, with the incumbent ambassador to Spain Viktor Komplektov [ ru ] appointed concurrently to Andorra, an arrangement that has since continued. [5]
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