Murad, his power in the Balkans broken…

Murad, his power in the Balkans broken by the European crusade led by Wladyslaw III of Hungary and Poland-Lithuania, is fearful of the potential for future losses.

Murad is believed to have had the greatest wish for peace.

Among other things, his sister has begged him to obtain the release of her husband Mahmud Bey, son-in-law of the Sultan and brother of the Grand Vizier Çandarlı Halil Pasha; his wife Mara, daughter of Serbian ruler Đurađ Branković, adds additional pressure.

On March 6, 1444, Mara had sent an envoy to Branković; their discussion had started the peace negotiations with the Ottoman Empire.

Władysław III of Poland sends a letter to Murad on April 24, 1444, stating that his ambassador, Stojka Gisdanić, is traveling to Edirne with full powers to negotiate on his behalf.

He asks that, once an agreement is reached, Murad send his own ambassadors with the treaty and his sworn oath to Hungary, at which point Wladyslaw could also swear.

This same day, Wladyslaw holds a Diet at Buda, where he swears before Cardinal Julian Cesarini to lead a new expedition against the Ottomans in the summer.

The strongest remaining supporter of Wladyslaw's claim for the throne also agrees to a truce, thus removing the danger of another civil war.