Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Analysis

The aim of this chapter is to focus on how the negotiations of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact took place and the mind-sets of both Stalin and Molotov in contrast to that of Hitler and Ribbentrop in relation to the Pact. It will go into detail about what took place after Ribbentrop arrived in Moscow, how the negotiations were dealt with and what they finally produced.
‘I hope the German-Soviet agreement of non-aggression will be a turning point towards serious improvement of political relations between our countries’- Letter written to Stalin by Hitler (Montefiore 2004, p315).
2.1 Time is running out and war is on its way.
By the summer of 1939, pragmatism had taken precedence over principle for the Nazis. Whether or not this is something Stalin had realised is unknowable. Germany’s plan to invade Poland came with the question of what the Soviet’s reaction would be. If the Soviets signed an agreement with the Western Allies, Germany would be surrounded by enemies. In the summer of 1939, Germany, who obviously feared this threat, began to sound out the Soviets about a possible treaty of convenience (Rees 2009). The

Ernst Köstring, a close colleague of Ribbentrop recalled that on the day of his arrival, he was trying to calm the Foreign Minister; however he ‘remained nervous and agitated’. Perhaps it was because of Stalin’s presence at the negotiations. Stalin rarely met with foreigners so his presence in the room was of great significance and more than likely a tactic used by Stalin to throw Ribbentrop off balance. The meeting was started with an announcement made by Ribbentrop - ‘the Führer has authorised me to propose a non-aggression agreement between our two countries that will last for a hundred years’. Stalin was quick to cut in and declare that people would not take the Pact seriously if this was the case. Thus,