Treaty of Nonaggression Between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
The Government of the German Reich and the Government of the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics desirous of strengthening the cause of
peace between Germany and the U.S.S.R and proceeding from the
fundamental provisions of the Neutrality Agreement concluded in April
1926 between Germany and the U.S.S.R., have reached the following
agreement:
ARTICLE I
Both High Contracting Parties obligate, themselves to desist from any
act of violence, any aggressive action, and any attack on each other,
either individually or jointly with other powers.
ARTICLE II
Should one of the High Contracting Parties become the object of
belligerent action by a third power, the other High Contracting Party
shall in no manner lend its support to this third power.
ARTICLE III
The Governments of the two High Contracting Parties shall in the
future maintain continual contact with one another for the purpose of
consultation in order to exchange information on problems affecting
their common interests.
ARTICLE IV
Neither of the two High Contracting Parties shall participate in any
grouping of powers whatsoever that is directly or indirectly aimed at
the other party.
ARTICLE V
Should disputes or conflicts arise between the High Contracting
Parties over problems of one kind or another, both parties shall settle
these disputes or conflicts exclusively through friendly exchange of
opinion or, if necessary, through the establishment of arbitration
commissions.
ARTICLE VI
The present treaty is concluded for a period of ten years, with the
provision that, in so far as one of the High Contracting Parties does
not denounce it one year prior to the expiration of this period, the
validity of this treaty shall automatically be extended for another
five years.
ARTICLE VI
The present treaty shall be ratified within the shortest possible
time. The ratifications shall be exchanged in Berlin. The agreement
shall enter into force as soon as it is signed.
Done in duplicate, in the German and Russian languages. MOSCOW, August 23, 1939.
For the Government of the German Reich:
V. RIBBENTROP
With full power of the Government of the U.S.S.R.:
V. MOLOTOV
Secret Additional Protocol
On the occasion of the signature of the Nonaggression Pact
between the German Reich and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics
the undersigned plenipotentiaries of each of the two parties discussed
in strictly confidential conversations the question of the boundary of
their respective spheres of influence in Eastern Europe. These
conversations led to the following conclusions:
1. In the event of a territorial
and political rearrangement in the areas belonging to the Baltic States
(Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), the northern boundary of
Lithuania shall represent the boundary of the spheres of influence of
Germany and the U.S.S.R. In this connection the interest of Lithuania in
the Vilna area is recognized by each party.
2. In the event of a territorial
and political rearrangement of the areas belonging to the Polish state
the spheres of influence of Germany and the U.S.S.R. shall be bounded
approximately by the line of the rivers Narew, Vistula, and San.
The question of whether the interests of both parties make desirable
the maintenance of an independent Polish state and how such a state
should be bounded can only be definitely determined in the course of
further political developments.
In any event both Governments will resolve this question by means of a friendly agreement.
3. With regard to Southeastern
Europe attention is called by the Soviet side to its interest in
Bessarabia. The German side declares; its complete political
disinterestedness in these areas.
This protocol shall be treated by both parties as strictly secret. Moscow, August 23, 1939.
For the Government of the German Reich:
V. RIBBENTROP
Plenipotentiary of the Government of the U.S.S.R.:
V. MOLOTOV