Sviatoslav enthusiastically responded, and invaded Bulgaria in 967 or 968 in a devastating raid, before returning home to defend his capital against a Pecheneg attack. This forced the Bulgarian tsar, Peter I, to the negotiating table, agreeing to terms favourable to Byzantium. However, this brief sojourn also awakened in Sviatoslav the desire to conquer Bulgaria and establish his own realm there.
Sviatoslav responded enthusiastically to a challenge from the Bulgarians, invading their territory in 967 or 968 with devastating force before returning home to defend his capital against a Pecheneg attack. This forced the Bulgarian Tsar Peter I to negotiate favorable terms with Byzantium. However, this brief campaign also ignited Sviatoslav's ambition to conquer Bulgaria and establish his own kingdom there.