Russian Withdrawal from the War

After some initial success for the coalition, Emperor Paul of Russia decided to withdraw his armies from the war, leading to talks for a peace treaty with France. The French invasion of Egypt and conquest of Malta had threatened Russia's desire for a permanent presence in the Mediterranean. However, with the French naval power in the region severely weakened and British troops occupying Malta and fighting in Egypt, the Russian threat from France seemed neutralized. Emperor Paul saw an opportunity to reorient Russian foreign policy and form an alliance with France against the British. Talks began, and there were even plans for a joint military invasion of British India. Unfortunately, Emperor Paul was assassinated, derailing any possibility of a military alliance. His successor, Emperor Alexander, sought a permanent peace treaty with France to secure diplomatic guarantees for minor Russian allies in Central Europe, but was unable to secure significant concessions from Napoleon.