Considerations on the Romanian-Soviet Historical Diplomatic Relations in the View of Nicolae Titulescu

• Author: Cristian Sandache
• Pages: 429-434

International Relations in the Contemporary World. Geopolitics and Diplomacy

429

Considerations on the Romanian-Soviet Historical Diplomatic Relations in

the View of Nicolae Titulescu

Cristian Sandache1

Abstract: The paper seeks a reassessment of the analysis on the model of Romania's forei gn policy in the

view o f Nicolae Titulescu, with a particular emphasis on the Romanian-Soviet relations during the period

when Titulescu was the chief of the Romanian diplomacy. The local historiographical literature has generally

increased, the theoretical value of Titulescu’s thinking, mentioning rarely about his utopian elements, was too

focused on legal constructs, to the detriment of pragmatic realism and historical background. Our concerns in

this regard were illustrated in some texts and specialized volumes on the geopolitical implications of the

Romanian-Soviet relations, and this paper is intended to b e a synthesis t ypical for a process of nuancing

regarding the action of a reference personality of the contemporary Romanian diplomacy.

Keywords: Nicolae Titulescu; Romania; USSR; collective security; negotiation; treaty

The foreign policy of Romania's inter-war period was represented (especially if we consider

the period from 20 October 1932 to 29 August 1936) by Nicolae Titulescu, as Minister of

Foreign Affairs, he had previously held this position between July 6, 1927 -30 July 1928.

The complex and simultaneously contradictory personality of Nicolae Titulescu has been the

subject of numerous articles, studies and books. The absolute majority of the Romanian

historians consider that Titulescu is an exceptional diplomat, probably the most brilliant

foreign minister that Romania has ever had. His undeniable intelligence, vast culture,

oratorical grace, poise and spontaneity were his main strengths. At the same time, the man

had his quirks, which some contemporaries did not hesitate to record them: exceedingly

difficult, excessive spender with the ministry funds which he was leading, misbehavior, often

arrogant...

The brilliance of his public statements was sometimes overshadowed by certain haste for

choosing solutions, which some observers of the political life have sanctioned them harshly.

We aim in the current analysis an approach of Titulescu’s vision on the diplomatic relations

between Romania and the USSR, a controversial and important subject, equally adapted to the

economic, historical or geopolitical paradigm.

In 1924, referring to Romania's relations with the USSR, Nicolae Titulescu considered that

between the two countries it would have been a real friendship, and it ought to be maintained

further identifying that goal with a profession of faith of his mission as a diplomat.

Unquestionably, the humanist, tolerant spirit, relaxed in this Titulescu’s conviction can only

honor if, historically speaking, the reference on the traditions of the Romanian-Russian

1Associate Professor, PhD, F aculty of Communication and International Relations, Danubius University of Galati, Romania,

Address: 3 Galati Blvd., Galati 800654, Romania, Tel.: +40372361102, Corresponding author: cristian.sandache@univ-

danubius.ro.