Russo-Prussian alliance

[1] Signed on 11 April 1764, it laid the foundation for the "northern system" in Russian politics in which Russia and Prussia were allied with Great Britain.

[1][4] From Russia's perspective, Austria had been less willing to compromise on issues related to the expanding Russian sphere of influence and was thus less attractive as an ally at that time.

[6] Not insignificantly, the treaty also allowed Prussia and Russia to exercise better control over the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth; both parties agreed to prevent the election of a third king from the House of Wettin.

[7] Advocated by Grigory Potemkin, this new direction reduced the strategic value of Prussia as an ally to Russia, and made Austria once again a more appealing candidate.

[7] The Russo-Prussian alliance was again extended in 1777, but at the imperial court in Saint Petersburg the influence of Panin's pro-Prussian faction was eclipsed by Potemkin's pro-Austrian one.