born Aug. 10, 1860, Ryazan province, Russia
died Dec. 25, 1927, Nice, Fr.
Russian diplomat.
After he became minister of foreign affairs in 1910, Sazonov promoted close relations with Britain and France and supported the Balkan League against Turkey. He contributed to the precipitating events of World War I by affirming Russia's support for Serbia against Austria and insisting that Nicholas II order the mobilization of the Russian army (July 30, 1914); two days later, Germany declared war on Russia. He set Russia's war aim as the annexation of Constantinople and the Turkish straits but was dismissed when he urged the tsar to grant Poland autonomy. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 , Sazonov moved to France.