Alboin, faced with the possibility of annihilation, makes an alliance in 566 with the Avars under Bayan I, at the expense of some tough conditions; the Avars demand a tenth of the Lombards' cattle, half of the war booty, and on the war's conclusion all of the lands held by the Gepids.

The Lombards play on the pre-existing hostility between the Avars and Constantinople, claiming that the latter is allied with the Gepids.

Cunimund, on the other hand, encounters hostility when he once again asked the Emperor for military assistance, as Constantinople has been angered by the Gepids' failure to cede Sirmium to the empire, as had been agreed.

Moreover, Justin II is moving away from the foreign policy of Justinian, and believes in dealing more strictly with bordering states and peoples.

Attempts to mollify Justin II with tributes fail, and as a result the Empire remains neutral if not outright supportive of the Avars.