Several different visions of the campaign and political goals clash constantly in the Polish camp.

Some of the former members of the Zebrzydowski Rebellion, opponents of Sigismund, actually advance proposals to have Sigismund dethroned and Dmitry, or even Shuisky, elected king.

Żółkiewski, who from the beginning has opposed the invasion of Russia, comes into conflict with Sigismund over the scope, methods and goal of the campaign.

Żółkiewski represents the traditional views of Polish nobility, the szlachta, which do not support waging aggressive and dangerous wars against a strong enemy like Russia.

Thus Żółkiewski favors the plans for peaceful and voluntary union, much like that with Lithuania.

Żółkiewski offers Russian boyars rights and religious freedom, envisioning an association resulting in the creation of the Polish–Lithuanian–Muscovite Commonwealth.

To this end, he feels that Moscow's cooperation should be gained via diplomacy, not force.

Sigismund, however, does not want to engage in political deals and compromises, especially when these have to include concessions to the Orthodox Church.

Sigismund is a vocal, almost fanatical supporter of the Catholic Church and counter-reformation, and believes that he can win everything and take Moscow by force, and then establish his own rule along with the rule of Roman Catholicism.

Sigismund had on January 31, 1610, received a delegation of boyars opposed to Shuisky, who had asked his fourteen-year-old son Wladyslaw, the popular crown prince, to become the tsar.

Sigismund sends them a letter on February 24 in which he agrees to do so, but only when Moscow is at peace.