of Poland in 1772–1773. However, events in the world appeared to play into the reformers' hands. Poland's neighbours were too occupied with wars to intervene forcibly in Poland, with Russia and Austria engaged in hostilities with the Ottoman Empire (the Russo-Turkish War (1787–92) and the Austro-Turkish War (1787–91)). The Russians also found themselves fighting Sweden (the Russo-Swedish War (1788–90)). In the context of the Austrian Empire and the Russian Empire's war with the Ottoman Empire, Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski, attempted to draw Poland into the Austro-Russian alliance since he saw a war with the Ottomans as an opportunity to strengthen the Commonwealth. Internal Russian politics prevented that plan from being implemented. Spurned by Russia, Poland turned to another potential ally, the Triple Alliance, represented on the Polish diplomatic scene primarily by the Kingdom of Prussia. That line of reasoning gained support from Polish politicians such as Ignacy Potocki and Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski. Within the Triple Alliance, Prussia was hoping for some territorial gains in the Baltic region through war (with Russia), diplomacy (from the Commonwealth) or a combination. With regard to the Balkans, the Triple Alliance aimed at restraining Russia, as well as its ally, Austria, and there were expectations of a war between the Alliance and Russia (and possibly Austria) around 1791. Negotiations Prussia tried to take the opportunity of the Russia's wars with the Ottoman Empire and Sweden to move the weak Commonwealth into its sphere of influence. Some factions in the Commonwealth deemed that as an opportunity to shake free from decades of Russian control. However, Prussia did not expect much from the alliance or even that it would pass. When the treaty was first proposed to the Great Sejm by Prussian Ambassador Ludwig Heinrich Buchholtz on 13 October 1788, Prussians expected that it would cause long and fruitless debate which the only outcome would be to ensure the weakening of the position of Russia and, to a lesser degree, Austria in Poland. Overall, for Prussia, the alliance with Poland was only one of several potential options, but for some Polish politicians it became a new and increasingly the only available strategy. The reception of Prussian proposal by the Sejm exceeded expectations, which has significantly strengthened the Patriotic Party. For the next year or so, the Prussians decided to delay taking any clear action, keeping their options open. Buchholtz was also reprimanded for allowing things to