At this moment, the British Cabinet's proposal appeared to Nicholas I as nothing but a display of weakness. Russia would never let an opponent's weakness go unexploited.
In truth, Russia was not faring well either. However, the debt issue the British had raised had little impact; the Austrian Empire had not pressed for repayment, instead proposing numerous debt-settlement plans.
Russia possessed no shortage of resources. It merely lacked a way to turn them into cash, and the Austrian Empire happened to be able to provide such a channel.
What truly troubled Nicholas I was the complete lack of progress in the war. Although the Russian army had delivered many dazzling performances—the Battle of Constantinople, Paskevich's expedition, the naval battle in the Black Sea—
Those impressive victories had not translated into much actual gain. The western front remained stuck in place, while breakthroughs on the eastern front were extremely limited.
The Austrian Empire's prolonged refusal to enter the war had also sparked panic among some. They feared that the Austrian Empire might suddenly join Britain's side.
Then march down the Danube River and seize Dobruja, leaving the Russian army on the western front unable to attend to both head and tail.
Of course, the Austrians in that scenario could just as well be replaced by the British or the Ottomans. In short, in the Russians' own eyes, Dobruja was a dead move.
As the panic could not be eased, people soon turned from fear to anger. Some began condemning the Austrian Empire's actions, and some even suggested striking first.
Nicholas I chose to believe what he wished to believe. After all, he and Franz had a secret agreement between them. What qualifications did those common mortals have to make wild accusations?
Yet as time passed, Nicholas I began to harbor doubts