Екатерина I
Some contemporaries, such as Voltaire in his book "Peter the Great", reported that Mehmet Pasha was involved in an affair with future-Empress Catherine I of Russia, then the consort of Peter. Surrounded by overwhelming numbers of Turkish troops, Catherine suggested before surrendering, that her jewels and those of the other women be used in an effort to bribe Baltacı Mehmet Pasha into allowing a retreat. Mehmet allowed the retreat, whether motivated by the bribe or considerations of trade and diplomacy.