Greek participation in the campaign gives Britain a politically useful alternative to Russian occupation of the straits. An Orthodox power can hold Constantinople without granting the tsar the warm-water access Russia has long sought. Britain could present the arrangement as honoring the religious symbolism of the victory while serving its own balance-of-power interests. Splitting administration around the Dardanelles between different states would further complicate any later Russian expansion toward the Mediterranean.
Notable Point · 29:50-31:17
Greek control of Constantinople checks Russian expansion
Britain could satisfy Orthodox claims to Constantinople through Greece while denying Russia direct control of the Dardanelles.