Batu Khan's relations with his cousins had been so poor after he returned from Mongolia that not until the election of Möngke Khan as Khagan did he again consider turning westward to Europe.

Planning new campaigns after Guyuk's death, and intent on carrying out Subutai's original plans to invade Europe, Batu dies in 1255 and the khanate passes to Sartaq, his son by Khanum Boraqcin of Hwarizim Sahi.

Sartaq is reputed to be a Christian convert; his father being a Shamanist.

There are several stories of Sartaq's conversion.

The Armenian writers, for example, alleged that Sartaq was brought up and baptized among the Russians.

However, a message dated August 29, 1254 by Sartaq addressed to Pope Innocent IV, stated that Sartaq, at this time a duke, had been baptized as a Christian.

The Pope had heard the news from a priest whom the khan had sent as envoy to the papal court.

Sartaq decides against the invasion of Europe.

The Kipchak Khanate, or Golden Horde, is to rule Russia through local princes for the next two hundred and thirty years.