German—Soviet Non Aggression Pact
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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