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Why did the death of Empress Elizabeth of Russia help Frederick II in 1762?

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Portrait painting of Frederick II of Brandenburg, King of Prussia, wearing a dark coat with a star medal, yellow gloves, and holding a cane, with the inscription Fridericus II Rex Prussiae. — Frederick II Frederick II, painting in the Castello di Miramare, Trieste, Italy.

The death of Empress Elizabeth of Russia in January 1762 was a pivotal turning point that saved Frederick II of Prussia from total disaster during the Seven Years’ War.12

By 1761, Frederick’s military position had become desperate, and he was even contemplating abdication to salvage his state. Elizabeth had been one of his most bitter enemies, and her commitment to the anti-Prussian coalition had placed immense strain on his resources.341

Her successor, Peter III, was a fanatical admirer of Frederick. Upon taking the throne, Peter immediately reversed Russia's foreign policy: he withdrew Russia from the war, signed an armistice, and eventually formed an alliance with Prussia. This sudden shift deprived Prussia's enemies of their united strength, forcing Austria to negotiate a settlement that allowed Prussia to retain Silesia under the Treaty of Hubertusburg.5436