Russia invaded Astrahan, her main target was to go down through the Mediterranean. 13 years later the Ottoman government decided to take back the city. They planned to cut a canal between the Don, running into the Sea of Azov from the northwest, and the Volga, running into the Caspian Sea from the northwest. This would link the two seas, the Black Sea, already an Ottoman lake, with the Caspian. It will facilitate the entry of the Turks into Persia and the central Asia. Moreover it will blocade Russia in her intention to go downwards to the Mediteranian.

Defterdar Kasım Bey was appointed for the canal project. He completed one third of the canal. The winter was on the way and the Khan of Crimea was discouraging the Ottoman workers by romouring about the difficulties of winter and the workers gave up working. The Ottomans abandoned the enterprise, they did not begin again.

The Suez Canal was planned in the period of Sultan Selim II but it could not have been began.