[center][h2][b]The Tsardom of Radena[/b][/h2][/center]
[center][b]1900[/b][/center]

[center][h3][b]Memoital, oh Memoital[/b][/h3][/center]
Recent news of the annexation of Memoital quickly reached Tsar Pyotr II, initially the Tsar and high members of the Imperial Ministry did not believe such reports. It was not until Lomovtsev Llyich sternly read out the official request of asylum from Prince Bernard. “It is clear to me,” Llyich addressed before the council, “that despite the faith in the Zellonians that we had so eagerly placed into them, they stand before us as aggressors. Whether it be desperation or madness by the king of Zellonia himself, these actions will not and should not be tolerated by the Tsar and the rest of the ministry.” He gave short pause before continuing. “This is not the first time the Zellonians have worryingly acted in bad faith. The invasion of the Marnish Kingdoms, to which we had hoped would never happen again, seems to have been a warning. A warning of the Kingdom of Zellonia’s desire of the entire northern peninsula. A threat to the entirety of our influence in the region.”

Approving nods were given by the entirety of the Imperial Ministry and few spoke out against such claims, except for General Fyodorovich. Though technically not an official member of the ministry, is given a special seat to represent the needs and wants of the Tsar’s Army. Having served as a general during the Sosodrov Crisis, he was considered a trusted member of the Old Guard. “It has come to my intention that the Tsar finds himself surrounded by conflict. The Hironese in the East, the Zellonians in the north, and the Tyrian-Redanians in the west. Two of these conflicts we are about to drag ourselves into. The Tsardom is in no position to keep this up, I believe that if we interlock ourselves in the lives of too many nations, we run the risk of becoming involved in a conflict on all sides. One that the state of the Tsar’s military is not capable of competing with. I recommend strongly, that if these situations come to conflict, that the Tsar be so ready to leave ourselves open to being taken advantage of.” Whispers could be heard among a few of the other twenty representatives within the Imperial Ministry. It had seemed that some agreed with the words of the esteemed general.

“Do not be so naive general, such actions will only lead to the loss of what little influence the Tsardom grasps onto.” Retorted Llyich. “The general made be so afraid of conflict after the war with Kalpia that does not have the stomach for it, but the reality of the situation is that the Tsardom can not simply hide away. I plead to the wisdom of the Tsar, that he denounce the actions of the Zellonians and accept the fleeing prince. We must ensure, no matter the cost, that the Zellonians aggressive annexation of Memoital does not go unpunished and that it soon be returned to their people. If we do not, then we risk the Zellonians becoming a quick threat the the Tsardoms northern territory.”

The Tsar cautiously considered both positions. He had been a young man, but he remember the Sosodrov Crisis with clarity. The stain upon the Tsardom a fresh wound to this day. However, a wound should not stop a man from acting in his own interests and so the damned war would not frighten the Tsardom from remaining steadfast in their foreign policy. They would not let a Zellonian no less, frighten them away. “I have decided. Mr. Llyich makes to strong of an argument for the issue to simply be ignored. Inform the Prince that we will accept his request of asylum within the Tsardom.”

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[i]General Fyodorovich, circa 1900[/i][/center]

[center][h3][b]Denouncing the Zellonian Menace[/b][/h3][/center]
Several days after news had reached the Tsar of the Zellonian annexation of Memoital, a once loyal ally of the Zellonians and of much discussion within the Imperial Ministry, the Tsar made an official statement on the issue. “The Kingdom of Zellonia has committed the ultimate betrayal, one to the people of Memoital. A strong and long independent country, that had placed their trust into Zellonia, much the way that the Tsardom did, if not more. The sons of Memoital fought, bled, and died in the name of the Zellonians during the Zello-Osladian War. How was this debt repaid when Memoital in its time of need only wished to keep some shred of sovereignty? With absolute contempt by King James. Shredded away without a second thought over the consideration of their people. This act towards one’s own former ally, one whom went into ruin due to a war they need not have helped with and yet did not shed a single bit of blame to the Zellonians for, was met with complete betrayal. Shredded of their dignity as a country without a second thought by the Zellonians. As such, the Tsardom officially denounces these actions taken by King James.”

[center][h3][b]Backroom dealings[/b][/h3][/center]
When Prince Bernard arrived in the Tsardom of Radena and had been acquainted with his living quarters within the Tsar’s Palace, a private meeting between Prince Bernard and the Tsar Pyotr II had been arranged. The two sat in the extravagantly decorated parlour, the cloth on the tables was lined with fine silk straight from Meung, the table design and crafted in Violette, even such insignificant things as the glass of the windows was forged in Oslad with fine Taran sand. “It is a pleasure to meet with you personally Tsar Pyotr, the gratitude that both me and the people of Memoital have for you doing such a service for me can not be expressed with simple words.”

“The pleasure is mine, Prince Bernard. The betrayal of the Zellonians was an absolute tragedy for your people. To have the pride of your people shredded away without a second thought is unforgivable.” It was at this time a Radenan maid had approached the two, pouring freshly imported tea from Meung.

“Then I hope that it is not to much for me to make a request, of an esteemed and understanding Tsar such as yourself, that you are to support my people’s cause through monetary and military aid to the Sons of Bernard. They are like minded individuals who wish to see to it my return to Memoital and the removal of Zellonia from the Island. If their cause were to be funded by the Tsardom of Radena then the people of Memoital may be able to quickly retake the land that is rightfully ours and expel the Zellonian dogs from our country.”

The passion in Prince Bernards voice was clear and the Tsar new what supporting the Sons of Bernard could possibly mean. However, if they were to ever weaken the Zellonian grip on the northern peninsula, this would certainly be it. “I will support your people in whatever they need to be freed from the grasp of King James.” The Tsar and Prince Bernard began to discuss the deal further for what is believed to have been another hour. Terms of support for the rebel group had been reached by the Tsardom.

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[i]Tsar Pyotr II’s Palace in Glavnaya, Radena[/i][/center] 

[center][h3][b]Offer of trade with the Republic of Itherae[/b][/h3][/center]
It was not long ago that the Tsardom had been sent an official request from the Republic of Itherae promising the exchange of 3,500,00 tons of food in exchange for $10,000,000. Having no issues with the small republic and considering them to be neither an enemy or friend, but a potential trading partner, the offer was quickly accepted by the Foreign Ministry aftering being approved by the Ministry of Economics.