King Gustav III of Sweden initiates a conflict with Russia for domestic political reasons, as he believes that a short war will leave the opposition with no recourse but to support him.

Despite establishing himself as an autocrat in a bloodless coup d'état that ended parliamentary rule in 1772, his political powers do not give him the right to start a war.

Also he is becoming increasingly unpopular, an issue which had become obvious during the parliament session of 1786.

This unpopularity is also encouraged by Russia, which believes an autocratic king to be a threat to its interests.

However, Russian support for his opposition does not go unnoticed by Gustav III, and is one of the reasons why he thinks of the war as inevitable.

The Western powers—specifically Great Britain, the Dutch Republic and the Kingdom of Prussia—are alarmed by a string of Russian victories in the Russo-Turkish War (1787–92) and lobby for the war in the north, which would divert the attention of Catherine II of Russia from the southern theater.

It is at their instigation that Gustav concludes an alliance with the Ottoman Empire in the summer of 1788.

However, only the Ottoman Empire is willing to ally with Sweden while Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Prussia reject efforts to form an alliance.