By the humiliating terms of the temporary peace of Falksen, which closed these "negotiations," the Russians returned the fortresses of Azov and Taganrog, commanding the littoral of the Black Sea, to the Turks. In the same document they promised not to infringe the "liberties" of the Cossacks of Poland nor those under the protection of the Khan of Crimea. But these advantages the Zaporogians enjoyed for only a brief period. By the terms of the Treaty of Pruth a more regular arrangement, far less favourable to the Free Cossacks, was concluded between the Tsar, the Khan of Crimea and the Porte. The Tsar was allowed to keep Kiev, together with the castles and fortified places defending the surrounding provinces as far south as Samara and Orel. To the "Free Cossacks" was assigned a territory with vaguely defined boundaries, forming a buffer state between the Southern province belonging to the Tsar and the Turkish provinces of the Black Sea and the Crimean littoral. A final clause, highly galling to the national susceptibilities of the brotherhood, engaged the Tsar on one hand and the Khan and Sultan on the other to repress and punish any invasion by the Zaporogians across the borders of the territory set aside for their use. These measures were fatal to Orlick's dream of an independent Cossack principality and put an end for the time being to further mihtary activities on the part of his turbulent followers.
Although the Zaporogians had voluntarily sought the protection, rather than an alliance with, the Turks and Tartars, and could therefore hope for no special favours from these traditional enemies, — they appear nevertheless to have felt greatly aggrieved at their treatment. A special cause of complaint was the too ready acquiescence of their commander, Orlick, in every new requirement of the Turks. The Hetman, in order to remain in favour with the Porte, even consented to allow the Cossacks to be deprived of their artillery, while constant drill and reviews enforcing the irksome Turkish discipline in their ranks were looked upon as an infringement of their easy-going "military privileges." Although the Free Companions were soon weary of an alliance or tutelage which so estranged them from their fellow-Cossacks in Russia, during the hfetime of Peter the Great their overtures of peace were treated with contempt. It was not until the year 1732 that events occurred which caused a modification in Russia's policy towards them. On the death of Augustus II (to whom the Tsar had given the crown of Poland after Poltava), the Polish republic had relapsed into the customary state of anarchy which preceded the election of every new candidate to the vacant throne. Another king, Augustus III, was soon imposed upon the Poles by the Russian armies. Resenting this act of arbitrary power, a party among the Polish nobility and peasants now resolved once more to ask for the help and intervention of the Tartars and Cossacks.
In view of the possibility of such an invasion, the ministers of the Empress Ann were more ready than their predecessors to negotiate with the Zaporogians. A Russian officer visited the Zaporogian camp with regalia and presents for the ataman and the chiefs of the Kourens.. Not only was an invitation extended to the "Free Companions" to return to their old allegiance, and to re-establish the sitch on Russian territory, but a present of several million roubles was also offered towards the rebuilding and equipment of their camp below the cataracts of the Dnieper.
In order to counteract the success of these negotiations, the Sultan sent messengers from Constantinople charged with even richer presents than those offered by the diplomats of the Russian mission. But the Cossack leaders repulsed the Turkish overtures with scorn, and, loud in their expressions of attachment to the Orthdox Church and the Russian cause, sent the Pasha back to Constantinople with a negative reply. An untoward incident, however, marred the dignity of this noble action and the patriotic alliance which it sealed. No sooner had the Turkish envoy reached the limits of the Ottoman dominions, than he was set upon by a company of Zaporogians, who had secretly followed his march till he had crossed the borders where the laws of hospitality'' protected him. The returned presents were then carried back as booty to the sitch. "While disavowing this action, by a characteristic process of reasoning the Zaporogians nevertheless decided that the goods involved must now be considered "fair-prize," and as such they were duly divided among the entire company!