In or around the 1330s, Duke Vasili married Evdokia, a daughter of Ivan Kalita, Grand Prince of Moscow.
Ivan Kalita's priority at that time was to break the power of Tver, which was a serious contender to Moscow.
In 1339, Ozbeg Khan summoned to the Golden Horde two princes who opposed Ivan Kalita's demands: Alexander Mikhailovich of Tver and Vasili of Yaroslavl.
In the end, though, Kalita's opponents failed to shake Khan Uzbek's confidence in the Moscow ruler.
In 1340 Ivan Kalita died, and Princes Alexander of Tver, Vasili of Yaroslavl and Konstantin of Suzdal laid claim to overlordship over his title and position.