Count Peter, Sir Dassel,

I appreciate your spirited advice on this issue but it was not quite what I had in mind. While I wholeheartedly support the defeat of Russian armies that are so foolish as to wander into our territory, I am not sure if this is a military matter. Duke Ansehelm led a highly successful raid deep into Russian territory and sacked Moscow. Yet, it has seemed to not dent the Russian's ability to cause us trouble. My idea was more of a long term strategy aimed at de-stabilizing the Russian leadership. My ire is not directed at the Russian people. While they deserve death when they take up arms against us, they deserve our mercy and guidance when they lay them back down.

I have calmed down a little bit since I first heard the news and I leave my earlier suggestion as just a thought for the Diet to chew on. Being of a different faith, we have different options with Russia than we would against a Catholic nation and I believe they could be used to our benefit. This would have the added bonus of giving more of our priests missionary experience which tends to propel them up into the College of Cardinals faster.

Monopolizing the College of Cardinals has served us quite well. I remember my father's stories of defending Hamburg during the Excommunication and holding sway over the College helps ensure that, that will not happen again.