How Russia & Spain fought for two years… without battles or losses!
The strange war began because of a personal quarrel between two monarchs and their egos and lasted two years.
The conflict erupted over Malta. In 1798, the island was captured by Napoleon's troops and the Knights of the Order of Malta were forced to seek a new home.
They were granted refuge by Russian Emperor Paul I, who was elected Grand Master of the Order that same year. The monarch issued a decree accepting Malta under Russian protection, ordered it to be called a ‘Governorate of the Russian Empire’ and outlined plans to establish a naval base there after the expulsion of the French.
European powers largely recognized Paul's new title, even though his election contradicted the Order's statutes. Only Spain categorically opposed it – it had no use for strengthening Russia's position in the Mediterranean.
This position by Charles IV of Spain offended the Russian autocrat. Bilateral diplomatic relations quickly cooled and, on August 6, 1799, Paul I declared war on Spain. The main reason cited was "her devotion to France", which was governed by a "lawless" and "abominable" government.
"Among others, Russia especially wishes to stand out. Its emperor, dissatisfied with the title he had assumed, has issued a decree declaring war, the publication of which alone is sufficient to recognize the depth of his folly," responded Charles IV, who also declared hostilities.
For geographical reasons, fighting in Europe was practically impossible, although Russia did float the idea of sending a military contingent to the Iberian Peninsula. A war in North America, where Russian Alaska bordered New Spain, seemed far more realistic. However, clashes did not occur there, either.
This strange war, without any battles or losses, ended in 1801 on the initiative of Emperor Alexander I, who succeeded Paul on the Russian throne.
