The Treaty of Moscow and Mount Ararat, 1921

On 16 March 1921, the “Treaty of Friendship and Brotherhood” was signed in Moscow between Soviet Russia and Kemalist Turkey, setting new borders in the Caucasus. The photograph shows about 15 men seated on both sides of a long table in a decorated hall, with papers on the table and one man standing in the centre.

Under the treaty, several territories of the former Russian Empire, Kars, Ardahan and the Surmalu district, where Mount Ararat is also located, passed under Turkish control. In return, Turkey handed Batum over to Soviet Georgia. According to the source, the treaty also provided that Moscow would give Kemalist Turkey considerable financial and military aid.