Treaty of Constantinople (1745)

On June 30, 1745, a deal between Tsar Vladimir I of Russia and Sultan Mahmud I of the Ottoman Empire took place concerning a territorial trade. The two signed the Treaty of Constantinople, which ceded the kingdom of Armenia and various Circassion regions to Turkey in return for the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Background
With the Russian Trade Federation on the brink of collapse, and the colonization of Siam adding little to no extra trade support as hoped, Tsar Vladimir I of Russia soon turned to the neighbouring Ottoman Empire to his south. The island of Cyprus, a long time Mediterranean stronghold and transitional gateway to the Orient, was just what Russia needed to improve trade with the western nations. Access to the Mediterranean had always been difficult for the Russians, as the only way to do so was via heavy taxes from the Ottoman capitol, Constantinople. On June 30, Vladimir himself traveled to Constantinople to negotiate a territorial trade with the Ottoman sultan, Mahmud I.

Vladimir I proposed to Mahmud I the initial trade of the Russian-controlled client kingdom of Armenia, in return for Cyprus. As the negotiations progressed, the tsar also added various other Circassian territories contiguous with the Ottoman Empire. Mahmud I accepted the deal, and the Treaty of Constantinople was immediately written up.

Already Vladimir I has sent a fleet of trade ships, as well as military personnal and a convoy of willing Russian citizens, to colonize the newly acquired Russian island province. Numerous trading outposts have been constructed, most notably in the town of Limassol. The Russian Cypriot capitol is designated in the island's largets city, Nicosia.

Ottoman Empire's Exchange

 * Cyprus
 * Temporary tax-free access through Constantinople and the Strait of Bosporus for all Russian ships (to colonize Cyprus)

Russia's Exchange
*Kingdom of Armenia
 * Nakhchivan
 * Samtshke-Javakheti
 * Adjara