21 July — Peter I found himself surrounded during the Pruth Campaign in Turkey’s European possessions.
After the defeat of the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava in 1709, Turkey confirmed its peace treaty with Russia. At the same time, Turkey’s ruling circles sought revenge for the losses under the Constantinople Peace Treaty of 1700 and aimed to push the border with Russia farther away from the Black Sea. On 20 November 1710, Turkey—incited by the Swedish king Charles XII with the assistance of the Austrians and the French—declared war on Russia.
This sharply worsened Russia’s situation, since the war with Sweden was still continuing. Russian troops led by Peter I moved toward the Balkans. However, during the Pruth Campaign into Turkey’s European possessions, on 21 July 1711 he found himself surrounded.
In despair, Peter sent a letter to St. Petersburg stating that he and his entire army were encircled, that the routes for obtaining provisions had been cut off, and that he could foresee nothing ahead except complete defeat or Turkish captivity.
Fortunately, everything worked out. Two days later, Peter’s chief diplomat, Baron Pyotr Shafirov, and the Grand Vizier Baltacı Mehmed Pasha signed a peace “treaty.” In exchange for being allowed to leave Moldavia, Peter I undertook to return Azov and its surrounding district to the Turks, to raze Taganrog, and to dismantle other southern fortresses.
In addition, Russia pledged not to hinder the return from the Ottoman Empire to Sweden of its sworn enemy—King Charles XII.