The article follows the attempts of the Russian Empire to re-annex southern Bessarabia in the period of 1858-1878. According to the Treaty of Paris of 1856, the Russian Empire lost southern Bessarabia, which was returned to the Principality of Moldavia. Two years after the loss of southern Bessarabia, Russian diplomacy begins negotiations with France for the return of this territory. Only during the Eastern crisis of 1875-1878, the Russian Empire, after a secret agreement with Austria-Hungary, re-annexed the southern of Bessarabia. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Romanian army gave military support to the Russian Empire, which defeated the Ottoman Empire. However, Romania has not been accepted at the peace negotiations with Ottoman Empire. According to the Treaty of San Stefano, Romania lost the southern of Bessarabia, and received Dobrogea as compensation. The Great Powers abandoned Romania, considering the issue of Bessarabia „insignificant”.