The family sought refuge in Russia, where Alexander finished his studies, at the University of Kyiv.
After traveling through Europe, he made his way to the Ottoman Empire in 1829, where his family possessions and titles were restored to him.
In 1850 he was appointed Prince of Samos, a position which he never accepted personally, choosing rather to administer the island through the offices of a delegate, Georgios Konemenos.
In 1853 he retired to Versailles but was recalled in 1855 was appointed ambassador to Vienna, a position which he was only able to assume after having played an important part in the Istanbul conferences on the re-organization of the Danubian principalities.
For his services, in June 1861, Kallimachis was granted the Ottoman title of Bala, the first Christian to have been conferred that honor.