AHC/WI: AH in the "Entente", Russia in the "CP"

Just as it says:

By the way, I realize the POD may have to be before 1900, but not by too much, and the effects will mostly be evident by WW1.

There seem to be a lot of partner switching World War swingers on here, so I thought I'd pose one I couldn't find. It seems like a stretch to me, but maybe someone has some knowledge that I don't:

Keeping the other key members of the alliances the same, is there any way for a sudden realignment to cause Russia to be in the Central Powers and Austria-Hungary to be in the Entente with the latest possible POD before June 28th 1914?

Now, I know what you're thinking: The Ottomans and Russia could never be on the same side - ever - but that's why this is a challenge.

My initial thoughts would be of a renewal of the courtship of the Austrians by the French and a breakdown in Austro-Italian relations, improved relations between Russia and the Ottoman Empire at the turn of the century, Russian participation in Reinsurance, and Austria-Hungary/German relations breaking down.

Presumably, Austria will still be the aggressor with Russia coming to Serbia's defense. When Germany (and Italy, hoping to gain Austrian territory) enters the fray with their ally Russia, Britain and France will be forced to intervene...

What would be the result of a Great War involving Germany, Russia, The Ottoman Empire, Italy etc. vs. Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Serbia, etc.?

Or is it even possible?
 

yourworstnightmare

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Donor
Prussia takes parts of Bohemia in the war with Austria. Later Austria start leaning towards France, while Bismark ally Germany with Russia.
 
Austro - Hungary in the Entente wouldn't be that improbable, they are a natural ally for UK in their part of Europe. They even had series of alliances during 18cent, don't know the details.

For me the big question in this scenario isn't the fact that Russia and Ottomans would be fighting on the same side but the fact that Germany abandoned her economical goals of direct link with the Middle East/Ottomans via Austro - Hungary.
 
Prussia takes parts of Bohemia in the war with Austria. Later Austria start leaning towards France, while Bismark ally Germany with Russia.

That works! Any idea of the outcome?

Austro - Hungary in the Entente wouldn't be that improbable, they are a natural ally for UK in their part of Europe. They even had series of alliances during 18cent, don't know the details.

For me the big question in this scenario isn't the fact that Russia and Ottomans would be fighting on the same side but the fact that Germany abandoned her economical goals of direct link with the Middle East/Ottomans via Austro - Hungary.

There's still Italy, Russia, and to a lesser degree, The Ottomans. I'm sure they'll find colonization more appealing in this scenario as well.

What happens in WWI?
 
Perhaps the Russians would still have a beef to settle with Japan and still pursuing Persia as the British kept on blocking their quest for a warm-water port.

Meanwhile, Austria-Hungary either presses its dreams of Greater Germany with zeal, or in the other extreme, abandon all ties to Germany altogether. Either way, that will align them with the Anglo-French Entente as they itch to invade/protect themselves from Germany.

And that would place Italy in a very weird position: They have irredentist claims on both France (Nice and Savoy) and Austria (Trieste, Istria, and Tyrol). However, she's now sandwiched between the Entente.
 
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