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Biblioworm (talk | contribs) →Background: ce |
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The [[Sochi]] district, which was annexed to [[Gagra District|Gagra]] in 1904 by [[Russian Empire|Tsarist Russia]], became a disputed territory between Southern Russia (under the [[White movement]]) and Georgia. After the Allies' victory in the [[First World War]], the Caucasus region came under the British sphere of influence due to the British-French treaty of December 1917. Both the [[White movement|Whites]] and the [[Georgia (country)|Georgians]] welcomed the arrival of British forces in the region. [[Anton Denikin]], a supporter of the Allies and the White Army, hoped that Britain would support the vision of a "united and indivisible Russia." However, Georgia cited the principle of self-determination to justify its territorial claim over the region.
Initially, Britain did not side with either party, aiming to maintain the status quo in the region until Russia's future was decided at the [[Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920)|Paris Peace Conference]]. Britain's priority at this stage was to unite anti-Bolshevik forces against [[Bolshevism]]. Despite London's attempt at neutrality, this lack of a clear political stance made its policy appear inconsistent to both parties involved. In December 1918, Denikin capitalized on the [[Armeno-Georgian War]] by seizing, without any resistance, several villages in the Sochi district that were previously occupied by Georgia. However, Britain continued to support the status quo and dictated that Denikin should not make any further advances to the south. Denikin was displeased that Britain was "disposing of Russian territory" without his consent and felt that the British were turning a blind eye to Georgia's recent alliance with Germany.
Denikin never forgave Britain for siding with its enemies, and Georgia blamed Britain for allowing the Russians to attack, which undermined British authority. Although the parties understood that Britain wanted to maintain the status quo, it became clear that Britain would not take action to restore it if it was changed by force. The White Army and the [[People's Guard of Georgia]] faced each other on the Bzif River, with Britain placing its garrison along the riverbank. On April 9, General [[George Milne, 1st Baron Milne|Milne]], the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, requested that Georgia move its troops to the Bzif River line. However, British authority was already weakened at that time.
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