In what year did the Baltics join the USSR? How the Baltic states became part of the USSR. Most foreign historians consider it an occupation

Hello! In the Fight Myths blog, we will analyze the events of our history, surrounded by myths and falsifications. These will be small reviews dedicated to the anniversary of a particular historical date. Of course, it is impossible to conduct a detailed study of the events within the framework of one article, but we will try to outline the main problems, show examples of false statements and their refutation.

In the photo: Railway workers rock Weiss, a member of the Plenipotentiary Commission of the State Duma of Estonia, after returning from Moscow, where Estonia was admitted to the USSR. July 1940

71 years ago, on July 21-22, 1940, the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania transformed their states into Soviet socialist republics and adopted Declarations on joining the USSR. Soon the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted laws that approved the decisions of the Baltic parliaments. Thus began a new page in the history of the three states of Eastern Europe. What happened during the few months of 1939-1940? How to evaluate these events?

Let's consider the main theses used by our opponents in discussions on this topic. We emphasize that these theses are not always a direct lie and deliberate falsification - sometimes it is just an incorrect formulation of the problem, a shift in emphasis, an involuntary confusion in terms and dates. However, as a result of the use of these theses, a picture is formed that is far from the true meaning of events. Before the truth can be found, the lie must be exposed.

1. The decision to join the Baltic States to the USSR was spelled out in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and / or secret protocols to it. Moreover, Stalin planned to annex the Baltic States long before these events. In a word, these two events are interconnected, one is a consequence of the other.

Examples.

"In fact, if we do not ignore the obvious facts, then of course, it was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that sanctioned the occupation of the Baltic states and the occupation of the eastern territories of Poland by Soviet troops. And it is surprising that the secret protocols to this treaty are so often mentioned here, because, in fact, even without them the role of this treaty is clear.
Link .

"As a professional, I began to more or less deeply study the history of the Second World War in the mid-80s, dealing with the now infamous, but then still almost unexplored and classified the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and the secret protocols that accompanied it, which decided the fate of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1939".
Afanasiev Yu.N. Another war: history and memory. // Russia, XX century. Under total ed. Yu.N. Afanasiev. M., 1996. Book. 3. Link.

"The USSR received from Germany the opportunity for freedom of action for further "territorial and political transformations" in the sphere of Soviet influence. On August 23, both aggressive powers were of the same opinion that a "sphere of interest" meant the freedom to occupy and annex the territories of the respective states. The Soviet Union and Germany divided their spheres of interest on paper in order to "make the division also a reality."<...>
"The government of the USSR, which needed mutual assistance treaties with the Baltic states in order to destroy these states, did not think to be satisfied with the existing status quo. It used to its advantage international situation, created in connection with the German attack on France, Holland and Belgium, in order to completely occupy the Baltic states in June 1940.
Link .

A comment.

The conclusion of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its significance in international politics in the 1930s. 20th century - Very difficult topic, requiring a separate analysis. Nevertheless, we note that most often the assessment of this event is of an unprofessional nature, comes not from historians and lawyers, but sometimes from people who did not read this historical document and did not know the realities of international relations of that time.

The realities of the time are that the conclusion of non-aggression pacts was a common practice of those years, not involving allied relations (and often this pact is called an "alliance treaty" between the USSR and Germany). The conclusion of secret protocols was also not out of the ordinary diplomatic move: for example, the British guarantees to Poland in 1939 contained a secret protocol, according to which Great Britain provided military assistance to Poland only in the event of an attack by Germany, but not by any other country. The principle of dividing a given region into spheres of influence between two or more states, again, was very common: suffice it to recall the delimitation of spheres of influence between countries Anti-Hitler coalition at the end of World War II. So it would be wrong to call the conclusion of the treaty on August 23, 1939 criminal, immoral, and even more so illegal.

Another question is what was meant by the sphere of influence in the text of the pact. If you look at Germany's actions in Eastern Europe, you can see that its political expansion did not always involve occupation or annexation (for example, as in the case of Romania). It is difficult to say that the processes in the same region in the mid-40s, when the same Romania fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR, and Greece - into the sphere of influence of Great Britain, led to the occupation of their territory or forced annexation.

In a word, the sphere of influence implied the territory in which opposite side, according to its obligations, was not supposed to pursue an active foreign policy, economic expansion, support for certain political forces beneficial to it. (See: Makarchuk V.S. Sovereign-territorial status of Western Ukrainian lands during the period of the Other World War (1939 - 1945): historical and legal record. Kiev, 2007. p. 101.) This, for example, happened after the Second world war, when Stalin, in accordance with the agreements with Churchill, did not support the Greek communists, who had a great chance of winning the political struggle.

Relations between Soviet Russia and independent Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania began to take shape in 1918, when these states gained independence. However, the hopes of the Bolsheviks for victory in these countries of the communist forces, including with the help of the Red Army, did not come true. In 1920, the Soviet government concluded peace treaties with the three republics and recognized them as independent states.

Over the next twenty years, Moscow gradually built the "Baltic direction" of its foreign policy, whose main goals were to ensure the security of Leningrad and prevent a possible military enemy from blocking the Baltic Fleet. This explains the turn in relations with the Baltic states that took place in the mid-1930s. If in the 20s The USSR was convinced that the creation of a single bloc of three states (the so-called Baltic Entente) was not beneficial to it, because. this military-political union can be used by countries Western Europe for a new invasion of Russia, then after the Nazis came to power in Germany, the USSR insists on creating a system of collective security in Eastern Europe. One of the projects proposed by Moscow was a Soviet-Polish declaration on the Baltics, in which both states would guarantee the independence of the three Baltic countries. However, Poland rejected these proposals. (See Zubkova E.Yu. The Baltic States and the Kremlin. 1940-1953. M., 2008. S. 18-28.)

The Kremlin also tried to obtain guarantees for the independence of the Baltic countries from Germany. Berlin was invited to sign a protocol in which the governments of Germany and the USSR would promise to "invariably take into account in their foreign policy the obligation to preserve the independence and inviolability" of the Baltic states. However, Germany also refused to go towards the Soviet Union. The next attempt to reliably ensure the security of the Baltic countries was the Soviet-French project of the Eastern Pact, but it was not destined to come true either. These attempts continued until the spring of 1939, when it became clear that Great Britain and France did not want to change their tactics of appeasing Hitler, embodied by that time in the form of the Munich Agreements.

Karl Radek, head of the Bureau of International Information of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, described very well the change in the attitude of the USSR towards the Baltic countries. He stated the following in 1934: "The Baltic states created by the Entente, which served as a cordon or bridgehead against us, today are for us the most important wall of protection from the West." So what about the installation on the "return of the territories", "restoration of the rights Russian Empire"It is possible only by resorting to speculation - the Soviet Union has been seeking neutrality and independence of the Baltic States for a long time for the sake of its security. Arguments cited as arguments about the "imperial", "sovereign" turn in Stalin's ideology that occurred in the mid-30s are unlikely whether it can be transferred to the sphere of foreign policy, there is no documentary evidence of this.

By the way, this is not the first time in Russian history when the security issue was not resolved by joining neighbors. The "divide and conquer" recipe, despite its apparent simplicity, could sometimes be extremely inconvenient and unprofitable. For example, in the middle of the XVIII century. representatives of the Ossetian tribes sought the decision of St. Petersburg on their inclusion in the empire, because. Ossetians have long been subjected to pressure and raids from the Kabardian princes. However, the Russian authorities did not want a possible conflict with Turkey, and therefore did not accept such a tempting offer. (For more details, see Degoev V.V. Rapprochement along a complex trajectory: Russia and Ossetia in the middle of the 18th century. // Russia XXI. 2011. Nos. 1-2.)

Let's return to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, or rather, to the text of paragraph 1 of the secret protocol: "In the event of territorial and political transformations in the areas belonging to the Baltic states (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), the northern border of Lithuania will be a line separating spheres of influence Germany and the USSR. In this regard, Lithuania's interest in the Vilna region is recognized by both sides." (Link.) On September 28, 1939, by an additional agreement, Germany and the USSR will adjust the border of spheres of influence, and in exchange for Lublin and part of the Warsaw Voivodeship of Poland, Germany will not lay claim to Lithuania. So, there is no talk of any accession, we are talking about spheres of influence.

By the way, on the same days (namely, September 27), Ribbentrop, the head of the German Foreign Ministry, in a conversation with Stalin asked: "Does the conclusion of the pact with Estonia mean that the USSR intends to slowly penetrate into Estonia, and then into Latvia?" Stalin replied: "Yes, it means. But the existing state system will be temporarily preserved there, etc." (Link.)

This is one of the few pieces of evidence that indicates that the Soviet leadership has intentions to "Sovietize" the Baltics. As a rule, these intentions were expressed in specific phrases by Stalin or representatives of the diplomatic corps, but intentions are not plans, especially when it comes to words thrown during diplomatic negotiations. There is no confirmation in archival documents of a connection between the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and plans to change the political status or "Sovietization" of the Baltic republics. Moreover, Moscow forbids the plenipotentiaries in the Baltics not only to use the word "Sovietization", but also to communicate with the left forces in general.

2. The Baltic states pursued a policy of neutrality, they would not fight on the side of Germany.

Examples.

"Leonid Mlechin, writer: Tell me, please, witness, there is a feeling that the fate of your country, as well as Estonia and Latvia, was sealed in 1939-40. Either you become part of the Soviet Union, or part of Germany. There wasn't even a third option. Do you agree with this point of view?
Algimantas Kasparavičius, historian, political scientist, researcher at the Institute of Lithuanian History: Of course I don't, because before the Soviet occupation, until 1940, all three Baltic countries, including Lithuania, professed a policy of neutrality. And they tried to defend their interests and their statehood in this neutral way in the war that had begun.
Judgment of Time: Accession of the Baltic states to the USSR - loss or gain? Part 1. // Channel Five. 08/09/2010. Link .

A comment.

In the spring of 1939, Germany finally occupied Czechoslovakia. Despite the obvious contradiction of the Munich agreements, Great Britain and France limited themselves to diplomatic protests. However, these countries, together with the USSR, Poland, Romania and other states of Eastern Europe, continued to discuss the possibility of creating a system of collective security in this region. The most interested party was, of course, the Soviet Union. Its principal condition was the neutrality of Poland and the Baltic states. However, these countries were against guarantees from the USSR.

This is how Winston Churchill wrote about it in his work "Second World War"Negotiations seemed to have reached a hopeless dead end. Accepting the English guarantee (for help in case of war - Note.), the governments of Poland and Romania did not want to accept a similar obligation in the same form from the Russian government. The same position was held in another important strategic area - in the Baltic states. The Soviet government made it clear that it would join the mutual guarantee pact only if Finland and the Baltic states were included in the general guarantee.

All four of these countries have now refused such a condition and, horrified, would probably have refused to agree to it for a long time to come. Finland and Estonia even stated that they would regard as an act of aggression a guarantee given to them without their consent. On the same day, May 31, Estonia and Latvia signed non-aggression pacts with Germany. In this way, Hitler was able to penetrate without difficulty into the weak defenses of the belated and indecisive coalition directed against him. "(Reference .)

Thus, one of the last opportunities for collective opposition to Hitler's expansion to the East was destroyed. At the same time, the governments of the Baltic states were willing to cooperate with Germany, never ceasing to talk about their neutrality. But isn't this an obvious indicator of the policy of double standards? Let's once again dwell on the facts of cooperation between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with Germany in 1939.

At the end of March of this year, Germany demanded that Lithuania transfer the Klaipeda region to it. Just two or three days later, the German-Lithuanian treaty was signed on the transfer of Klaipeda, according to which the parties assumed an obligation not to use force against each other. At the same time, there were rumors about the conclusion of a German-Estonian treaty, according to which German troops received the right of passage through the territory of Estonia. The extent to which these rumors corresponded to reality was unknown, however further developments heightened the Kremlin's suspicions.

On April 20, 1939, the chief of staff of the Latvian army M. Hartmanis and the commander of the Kurzeme division O. Dankers arrived in Berlin to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Hitler, and were personally received by the Fuhrer, who presented them with awards. The chief of the Estonian general staff, Lieutenant-General Nikolai Reek, also arrived for the anniversary of Hitler. Following this, Estonia was visited by the head of the General Staff of the German Land Forces, Lieutenant General Franz Halder and the head of the Abwehr, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris. This was a clear step towards military cooperation between countries.

And on June 19, the Estonian ambassador to Moscow, August Rei, at a meeting with British diplomats, said that the help of the USSR would force Estonia to take the side of Germany. What is this? Blind faith in the sincerity of treaties with Germany after the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and even more so after the annexation of a small part of the Baltic lands (ie the Klaipeda region)? Unwillingness to cooperate (and at that time it was only about cooperation) with Soviet Union, apparently, was much stronger than fears of losing their own sovereignty. Or, perhaps, the unwillingness to cooperate was so strong that their own sovereignty was not a value for part of the political elite.

On March 28, Litvinov, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR, handed over the declarations to the Estonian and Latvian envoys in Moscow. In them, Moscow warned Tallinn and Riga that the assumption of “political, economic or other domination by a third state, granting it any exclusive rights or privileges” could be considered by Moscow as a violation of the agreements concluded earlier between the USSR, Estonia and Latvia. (Link.) At times, some researchers view these statements as an example of Moscow's expansionist aspirations. However, if you pay attention to the foreign policy of the Baltic countries, this statement was a completely natural action of the state, worried about its security.

At the same time, in Berlin on April 11, Hitler approved the "Directive on the unified preparation of the armed forces for war in 1939-1940." It stated that after the defeat of Poland, Germany should take control of Latvia and Lithuania: "The position of the limitrophe states will be determined solely by the military needs of Germany. With the development of events, it may become necessary to occupy the limitrophe states to the border of old Courland and include these territories in the empire" . (Link.)

In addition to the above facts, modern historians make assumptions about the existence of secret agreements between Germany and the Baltic states. It's not just guesswork. For example, the German researcher Rolf Amann found in the German archives an internal memorandum from the head of the German News Service for Foreign Affairs, Dertinger, dated June 8, 1939, which states that Estonia and Latvia agreed to a secret article requiring both countries to coordinate with Germany all defensive measures against the USSR. The memorandum also stated that Estonia and Latvia had been warned of the need to wisely apply their policy of neutrality, which required the deployment of all defensive forces against the "Soviet threat." (See Ilmjärv M. Hääletu alistumine. Eesti, Läti ja Leedu välispoliitilise orientatsioni kujunemine ja iseseisvuse kaotus 1920. aastate keskpaigast anneksioonini. Tallinn, 2004. lk. 558.)

All this suggests that the "neutrality" of the Baltic states was only a cover for cooperation with Germany. And these countries consciously cooperated, hoping with the help of a powerful ally to protect themselves from the "communist threat." It is hardly necessary to say that the threat from this ally was much more terrible, because. threatened real genocide against the peoples of the Baltic states and the loss of all sovereignty.

3. The accession of the Baltic States was violent, it was accompanied by mass repressions (genocide) and military intervention by the USSR. These events can be considered "annexation", "forced incorporation", "illegal incorporation".

Examples.

"Because - yes, indeed, there was a formal invitation, or rather, there were three formal invitations, if we talk about the Baltics. But the fact is that these invitations were made already when in these countries there were Soviet troops when all three Baltic countries were flooded with NKVD agents, when in fact repressions were already being carried out against the local population ... And, of course, it must be said that this action was well prepared by the Soviet leadership, because in fact everything was completed by the fortieth year, and already in July 1940 governments were created.
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Interview with historian Alexei Pimenov. // Russian service "Voice of America". 05/08/2005. Link .

"We did not support forced incorporation of the Baltic states into the USSR US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told three Baltic foreign ministers yesterday.
Eldarov E. Does the United States not recognize the occupation?! // News today. 06/16/2007. Link .

"The Soviet side also confirmed its aggressive position and decision not to comply with the norms of international law and to use force at the Moscow negotiations with representatives of Latvia during the conclusion of an agreement on mutual assistance, which began on October 2, 1939. The next day, Latvian Foreign Minister V. Munters informed government: I. Stalin told him that "because of the Germans, we can occupy you," and also threateningly pointed out the possibility of the USSR to take "the territory with the Russian national minority." The Latvian government decided to capitulate and agree to the demands of the Soviet Union, letting its troops into its territory."<...>
“Given aspects of international law, it is difficult to assess the treaties that were concluded on mutual assistance between parties so unequal in strength (power and small and weak states) as legitimate. In the historical and legal literature, several opinions have been expressed on how one could characterize signed basic treaties between the USSR and the Baltic States Some authors believe that these treaties, in accordance with international law, are not valid from the moment they are signed, because their Baltic states were simply imposed by force".
Feldmanis I. Occupation of Latvia - historical and international legal aspects. // Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. Link .

A comment.

"Annexation is the forcible annexation of the territory of another state (in whole or in part) to the state. Before the Second World War, not every annexation was considered illegal and invalid. This is due to the fact that the principle prohibiting the use of force or the threat of its use, which has become one of the main principles of modern international law, was first enshrined in 1945 in the UN Charter," writes Doctor of Law S.V. Chernichenko.

Thus, speaking of the "annexation" of the Baltic States, we are again faced with a situation where modern international law in relation to historical events does not work. After all, the expansion of the British Empire, the United States, Spain and many other states that once annexed territory that belonged to other countries can just as well be called annexation. So even if you call the process of joining the Baltic States an annexation, then it is legally incorrect to consider it illegal and invalid (which is what a number of researchers, journalists and politicians want to achieve), because there simply were no relevant laws.

The same can be said about specific mutual assistance pacts concluded between the USSR and the Baltic countries in September-October 1939: September 28 with Estonia, October 5 with Latvia, October 10 with Lithuania. They were concluded, of course, under strong diplomatic pressure from the USSR, but strong diplomatic pressure, very often applied under conditions of constant military threat, does not make these pacts illegal. Their content was practically the same: the USSR had the right to rent military bases, ports and airfields agreed with the states and introduce a limited contingent of troops (20-25 thousand people for each country) into their territory.

Can we assume that the presence of NATO troops on the territories of European countries limits their sovereignty? Of course you can. It can also be said that the United States, as the leader of NATO, is going to use these troops to put pressure on the political forces of these countries and change the political course there. However, you will agree that this will be a very dubious assumption. The assertion that the treaties between the USSR and the Baltic states were the first step towards the "Sovietization" of the Baltic states seems to us to be the same dubious assumption.

The Soviet troops stationed in the Baltics were given the strictest instructions regarding their behavior towards the local population and authorities. Contacts of the Red Army soldiers with local residents were limited. And Stalin, in a confidential conversation with the General Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Comintern, G. Dimitrov, said that the USSR must "strictly observe them (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - Note.) internal regime and independence. We will not seek their Sovietization." (See USSR and Lithuania during the Second World War. Vilnius, 2006. Vol. 1. P. 305.) This suggests that the factor of military presence was not decisive in relations between states, and consequently, the process was not an annexation and a military takeover, it was precisely an agreed introduction of a limited number of troops.

By the way, the introduction of troops into the territory of a foreign state in order to prevent its transition to the side of the enemy was used more than once during the Second World War. The joint Soviet-British occupation of Iran began in August 1941. And in May 1942, Great Britain occupied Madagascar to prevent the capture of the island by the Japanese, although Madagascar belonged to Vichy France, which was neutral. Similarly, in November 1942, the Americans occupied French (i.e. Vichy) Morocco and Algeria. (Link.)

However, not everyone was happy with the situation. The leftist forces in the Baltics clearly counted on the help of the USSR. For example, demonstrations in support of the Mutual Assistance Pact in Lithuania in October 1939 turned into clashes with the police. However, Molotov telegraphed the plenipotentiary and the military attache: "I categorically forbid interfering in inter-party affairs in Lithuania, supporting any opposition currents, etc." (See Zubkova E.Yu. The Baltic States and the Kremlin. S. 60-61.) The thesis about the fear of the world public opinion very doubtful: Germany, on the one hand, France and Great Britain, on the other, entered World War II at that time, and hardly any of them wanted the USSR to join the other side of the front. The Soviet leadership believed that by introducing troops it had secured the northwestern border, and only strict observance of the terms of the agreements would ensure, in turn, compliance with these agreements by the Baltic neighbors. It was simply unprofitable to destabilize the situation by military takeover.

We also add that Lithuania, as a result of the mutual assistance pact, significantly expanded its territory, including Vilna and the Vilna region. But despite the impeccable behavior of the Soviet troops noted by the Baltic authorities, in the meantime they continued to cooperate with Germany and (during " winter war") with Finland. In particular, the radio intelligence department of the Latvian army provided practical assistance to the Finnish side, forwarding intercepted radio messages from Soviet military units. (See Latvijas arhivi. 1999. Nr. 1. 121., 122. lpp.)

The allegations of mass repressions carried out in 1939-1941 also look untenable. in the Baltic States and began, according to a number of researchers, in the autumn of 1939, i.e. before the accession of the Baltic states to the USSR. The facts are that in June 1941, in accordance with the May decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR "On measures to clean up the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian SSR from the anti-Soviet, criminal and socially dangerous element," a deportation of approx. 30 thousand people from the three Baltic republics. It is often forgotten that only a part of them were deported as "anti-Soviet elements", while a part of them were banal criminals. It should also be taken into account that this action was carried out on the eve of the war.

However, the mythical order of the NKVD No. 001223 "On operational measures against anti-Soviet and socially hostile elements", wandering from one publication to another, is more often cited as evidence. It was first mentioned... in the book "Die Sowjetunion und die baltische Staaten" ("The Soviet Union and the Baltic States"), published in 1941 in Kaunas. It is easy to guess that it was not written by painstaking researchers, but by employees of the Goebbels department. Naturally, no one was able to find this order of the NKVD in the archives, but its mention can be found in the books "These Names Accuse" (1951) and "The Baltic States, 1940-1972" (1972) published in Stockholm, as well as in numerous contemporary literature up to the study by E.Yu. Zubkova "The Baltic States and the Kremlin" (see this edition, p. 126).

By the way, in this study, the author, considering Moscow’s policy in the annexed Baltic lands in one pre-war year (from the summer of 1940 to June 1941), writes only two paragraphs (!) about the repressions (!), one of which is a retelling of the myth mentioned above. This shows how significant the repressive policy of the new government was. Of course, it brought cardinal changes in political and economic life, the nationalization of industry and large property, the elimination of capitalist exchange, and so on. Part of the population, shocked by these changes, turned to resistance: this was expressed in protest actions, attacks on the police, and even sabotage (arson of warehouses, etc.). What did the new government need to do so that this territory, taking into account, if not overwhelming, but still existing social resistance, does not become an easy "prey" for the German occupiers who were planning to start a war soon? Of course, to fight against "anti-Soviet" sentiments. That is why, on the eve of the war, a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on the deportation of unreliable elements appeared.

4. Before the inclusion of the Baltic states into the USSR, the communists came to power in them, and the elections were rigged.

Examples.

"Illegal and unlawful change of government took place on June 20, 1940. Instead of the cabinet of K. Ulmanis, the Soviet puppet government headed by A. Kirchenstein came, which was officially called the government of the Latvian people.<...>
"In the elections held on July 14 and 15, 1940, only one list of candidates nominated by the "Block of the Working People" was allowed. All the rest alternative lists were rejected. Officially, it was reported that 97.5% of the votes were cast for the mentioned list. The election results were rigged and did not reflect the will of the people. In Moscow, the Soviet news agency TASS gave information about the mentioned election results already twelve hours before the beginning of the counting of votes in Latvia.
Feldmanis I. Occupation of Latvia - historical and international legal aspects. // Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. Link .

"July 1940 In the elections in the Baltic States, the communists received: Lithuania - 99.2%, Latvia - 97.8%, Estonia - 92.8%.
Surov V. Icebreaker-2. Mn., 2004. Ch. 6.

The Baltic states in the period between the two world wars became the object of the struggle of the great European powers (England, France and Germany) for influence in the region. In the first decade after the defeat of Germany in the First World War, there was a strong Anglo-French influence in the Baltic states, which later, from the beginning of the 1930s, began to interfere with the growing influence of neighboring Germany. He, in turn, tried to resist the Soviet leadership, taking into account the strategic importance of the region. By the end of the 1930s. Germany and the USSR became in fact the main rivals in the struggle for influence in the Baltics.

Failure "Eastern Pact" was due to the difference in interests of the contracting parties. Thus, the Anglo-French missions received detailed secret instructions from their general staffs, which determined the goals and nature of the negotiations - the note of the French general staff said, in particular, that along with a number of political benefits that England and France would receive in connection with the accession of the USSR, this would allow him to be drawn into the conflict: "it is not in our interests that he remains out of the conflict, keeping his forces intact" . The Soviet Union, which considered at least two Baltic republics - Estonia and Latvia - as a sphere of its national interests, defended this position at the negotiations, but did not meet with understanding from the partners. As for the governments of the Baltic states themselves, they preferred guarantees from Germany, with which they were connected by a system of economic agreements and non-aggression pacts. According to Churchill, “An obstacle to the conclusion of such an agreement (with the USSR) was the horror that these same border states experienced before Soviet assistance in the form of Soviet armies, who could pass through their territories to protect them from the Germans and simultaneously include them in the Soviet-communist system. After all, they were the most violent opponents of this system. Poland, Romania, Finland and the three Baltic states did not know what they feared more - German aggression or Russian salvation. .

Simultaneously with negotiations with Great Britain and France, the Soviet Union in the summer of 1939 stepped up steps towards rapprochement with Germany. The result of this policy was the signing on August 23, 1939 of a non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR. According to the secret additional protocols to the treaty, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and the east of Poland were included in the Soviet sphere of interests, Lithuania and the west of Poland - in the sphere of German interests); By the time the treaty was signed, the Klaipeda (Memel) region of Lithuania had already been occupied by Germany (March 1939).

1939. The beginning of the war in Europe

Mutual Assistance Pacts and Treaty of Friendship and Boundary

Independent Baltic states on the map of the Small Soviet Encyclopedia. April 1940

As a result of the actual division of Polish territory between Germany and the USSR, the Soviet borders moved far to the west, and the USSR began to border on the third Baltic state - Lithuania. Initially, Germany intended to turn Lithuania into its protectorate, but on September 25, during the Soviet-German contacts on the settlement of the Polish problem, the USSR proposed to start negotiations on Germany's renunciation of claims to Lithuania in exchange for the territories of the Warsaw and Lublin provinces. On this day, the German ambassador to the USSR, Count Schulenburg, sent a telegram to the German Foreign Ministry, in which he said that he had been summoned to the Kremlin, where Stalin pointed to this proposal as a subject for future negotiations and added that if Germany agreed, "the Soviet Union immediately will take up the solution of the problem of the Baltic states in accordance with the protocol of August 23.

The situation in the Baltic states themselves was alarming and contradictory. Against the background of rumors about the impending Soviet-German division of the Baltic states, which were refuted by diplomats from both sides, part of ruling circles The Baltic states were ready to continue rapprochement with Germany, many were anti-German and counted on the help of the USSR in maintaining the balance of power in the region and national independence, while the underground left forces were ready to support joining the USSR.

Meanwhile, on the Soviet border with Estonia and Latvia, a Soviet military group was being created, which included the forces of the 8th Army (Kingisepp direction, Leningrad Military District), 7th Army (Pskov direction, Kalinin Military District) and 3rd Army (Belarusian Front).

In conditions when Latvia and Finland refused to support Estonia, England and France (which were at war with Germany) were not able to provide it, and Germany recommended accepting the Soviet proposal, the Estonian government entered into negotiations in Moscow, as a result of which on September 28 A Mutual Assistance Pact was concluded, providing for the creation of Soviet military bases in Estonia and the deployment of a Soviet contingent of up to 25 thousand people on them. On the same day, the Soviet-German Treaty "On Friendship and Border" was signed, which fixed the partition of Poland. According to the secret protocol to it, the conditions for the division of spheres of influence were revised: Lithuania went into the sphere of influence of the USSR in exchange for Polish lands east of the Vistula, which went to Germany. Stalin, at the end of negotiations with the Estonian delegation, told Selter: “The Estonian government acted wisely and for the benefit of the Estonian people by concluding an agreement with the Soviet Union. With you it could turn out, as with Poland. Poland was a great power. Where is Poland now?

On October 5, the USSR suggested that Finland also consider the possibility of concluding a mutual assistance pact with the USSR. Negotiations began on October 11, however, Finland rejected the proposals of the USSR both on the pact and on the lease and exchange of territories, which led to the Mainil incident, which became the reason for the denunciation of the non-aggression pact with Finland by the USSR and the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940.

Almost immediately after the signing of mutual assistance treaties, negotiations began on the basing of Soviet troops on the territory of the Baltic states.

The fact that the Russian armies had to stand on this line was absolutely necessary for the security of Russia against the Nazi threat. Be that as it may, this line exists, and the Eastern Front has been created, which Nazi Germany will not dare to attack. When Herr Ribbentrop was summoned to Moscow last week, he had to learn and accept the fact that the implementation of the Nazi plans in relation to the Baltic countries and Ukraine must be finally stopped.

original text(English)

That the Russian armies should stand on this line was clearly necessary for the safety of Russia against the Nazi menace. At any rate, the line is there, and an Eastern front has been created which Nazi Germany does not dare assail. When Herr von Ribbentrop was summoned to Moscow last week it was to learn the fact, and to accept the fact that the Nazi designs upon the Baltic States and upon the Ukraine must come to a dead stop.

The Soviet leadership also stated that the Baltic countries did not comply with the signed agreements and were pursuing an anti-Soviet policy. For example, the political union between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (Baltic Entente) was characterized as having an anti-Soviet orientation and violating mutual assistance treaties with the USSR.

A limited contingent of the Red Army (for example, in Latvia its number was 20,000) was introduced with the permission of the presidents of the Baltic countries, and agreements were concluded. So, on November 5, 1939, the Riga newspaper Gazeta dlya Vsego in the article “Soviet troops went to their bases” published a message:

On the basis of a friendly agreement concluded between Latvia and the USSR on mutual assistance, the first echelons of Soviet troops proceeded on October 29, 1939 through the border station Zilupe. To meet the Soviet troops, a guard of honor with a military band was lined up ....

A little later, in the same newspaper on November 26, 1939, in the article “Freedom and Independence”, dedicated to the celebrations of November 18, the President of Latvia published a speech by President Karlis Ulmanis, in which he stated:

... The recently concluded mutual assistance agreement with the Soviet Union strengthens the security of our and its borders ...

Ultimatums of the summer of 1940 and the removal of the Baltic governments

The entry of the Baltic states into the USSR

The new governments lifted bans on communist parties and demonstrations and called early parliamentary elections. In the elections held on July 14 in all three states, the pro-communist Blocks (Unions) of the working people won - the only electoral lists admitted to the elections. According to official data, in Estonia the turnout was 84.1%, while 92.8% of the votes were cast for the Union of the Working People, in Lithuania the turnout was 95.51%, of which 99.19% voted for the Union of the Working People, in Latvia The turnout was 94.8%, with 97.8% of the votes cast for the Bloc of the Working People. The elections in Latvia, according to V. Mangulis, were rigged.

The newly elected parliaments already on July 21-22 proclaimed the creation of the Estonian SSR, the Latvian SSR and the Lithuanian SSR and adopted the Declaration on joining the USSR. On August 3-6, 1940, in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, these republics were admitted to the Soviet Union. From the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian armies, the Lithuanian (29th rifle), Latvian (24th rifle) and Estonian (22nd rifle) territorial corps were formed, which became part of the PribOVO.

The entry of the Baltic states into the USSR was not recognized by the United States, the Vatican and a number of other countries. Recognized it de jure Sweden , Spain , Netherlands , Australia , India , Iran , New Zealand , Finland , de facto- Great Britain and a number of other countries. In exile (in the USA, Great Britain, etc.), some diplomatic missions of the pre-war Baltic states continued their activities; after the Second World War, the Estonian government in exile was created.

Consequences

The accession of the Baltic States with the USSR delayed the appearance of the Baltic states planned by Hitler allied to the Third Reich

After the entry of the Baltic states into the USSR, the socialist transformations of the economy already completed in the rest of the country and repressions against the intelligentsia, clergy, former politicians, officers, and wealthy peasants moved here. In 1941, “due to the presence in the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian SSR of a significant number of former members of various counter-revolutionary nationalist parties, former policemen, gendarmes, landowners, manufacturers, high officials of the former state apparatus of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and other persons leading subversive anti-Soviet work and used by foreign intelligence services for espionage purposes”, deportations of the population were carried out. . A significant part of the repressed were Russians living in the Baltics, mostly white émigrés.

In the Baltic republics, just before the start of the war, an operation was completed to evict an “unreliable and counter-revolutionary element” - a little more than 10 thousand people were expelled from Estonia, about 17.5 thousand from Latvia from Lithuania - according to various estimates, from 15.4 to 16.5 thousands of people. This operation was completed by June 21, 1941.

In the summer of 1941, after the German attack on the USSR, in Lithuania and Latvia, in the first days of the German offensive, there were performances of the "fifth column", which resulted in the proclamation of short-lived "loyal to Great Germany" states, in Estonia, where Soviet troops defended longer this process almost immediately was replaced by inclusion in the Reich Commissariat Ostland, like the other two.

Contemporary politics

Differences in the assessment of the events of 1940 and the subsequent history of the Baltic countries within the USSR are a source of unrelenting tension in relations between Russia and the Baltics. In Latvia and Estonia, many issues regarding legal status Russian-speaking residents - immigrants of the era of 1940-1991. and their descendants (see Non-citizens (Latvia) and Non-citizens (Estonia)), since only citizens of the pre-war Republics of Latvia and Estonia and their descendants were recognized as citizens of these states (in Estonia, citizens of the Estonian SSR also supported the independence of the Republic of Estonia in a referendum on March 3, 1991) , the rest were struck in civil rights, which created a situation unique for modern Europe for the existence of discrimination regimes on its territory. .

The European Union bodies and commissions repeatedly addressed Latvia and Estonia with official recommendations, in which they pointed out the inadmissibility of continuing the legal practice of segregating non-citizens.

Of particular public resonance in Russia were the facts of the law enforcement agencies of the Baltic states initiating criminal cases against former employees of the Soviet state security agencies living here, accused of participating in repressions and crimes against the local population during World War II. The unlawfulness of these accusations was confirmed in the international Strasbourg Court.

The opinion of historians and political scientists

Some foreign historians and political scientists, as well as some modern Russian researchers, characterize this process as occupation and annexation independent states The Soviet Union, carried out gradually, as a result of a series of military-diplomatic and economic steps and against the backdrop of the Second World War unfolding in Europe. In this regard, the term is sometimes used in journalism Soviet occupation of the Baltics reflecting this point of view. Contemporary Politicians they also talk about incorporations, as about a softer version of the attachment. According to the former head of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Janis Jurkans, “It is the word incorporation» . Baltic historians emphasize the violation of democratic norms during the extraordinary parliamentary elections held at the same time in all three states in the conditions of a significant Soviet military presence, as well as the fact that in the elections held on July 14 and 15, 1940, only one list of candidates put forward by the Bloc of the Working People, and all other alternative lists were rejected. Baltic sources believe that the election results were rigged and did not reflect the will of the people. For example, in the text posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, information is provided that “ In Moscow, the Soviet news agency TASS gave information about the mentioned election results already twelve hours before the start of the counting of votes in Latvia» . He also cites the opinion of Dietrich André Loeber - one of the former soldiers of the Abwehr sabotage and reconnaissance unit "Brandenburg 800" in 1941-1945 - that the annexation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was fundamentally illegal: since it is based on intervention and occupation. . From this it is concluded that the decisions of the Baltic parliaments to join the USSR were predetermined in advance.

Soviet, as well as some modern Russian historians, insist on the voluntary nature of the entry of the Baltic states into the USSR, arguing that it was finalized in the summer of 1940 on the basis of decisions of the highest legislative bodies of these countries, which received the widest support of voters in the elections for the entire existence of independent the Baltic states. Some researchers, without calling the events voluntary, do not agree with their qualification as occupations. The Russian Foreign Ministry considers the accession of the Baltic states to the USSR as consistent with the norms of international law of that time.

Otto Latsis, a well-known scientist and publicist, stated in an interview with Radio Liberty - Free Europe in May 2005:

took place incorporation Latvia, but not the occupation"

Notes

Semiryaga M.I. - Secrets of Stalin's diplomacy. 1939-1941. - Chapter VI: Anxious summer, M .: graduate School, 1992. - 303 p. - Circulation 50,000 copies.
Guryanov A. E. The scale of the deportation of the population deep into the USSR in May-June 1941, memo.ru
Michael Keating, John McGarry Minority nationalism and the changing international order. - Oxford University Press, 2001. - P. 343. - 366 p. - ISBN 0199242143
Jeff Chinn, Robert John Kaiser Russians as the new minority: ethnicity and nationalism in the Soviet successor states. - Westview Press, 1996. - P. 93. - 308 p. - ISBN 0813322480
Great Historical Encyclopedia: For schoolchildren and students, page 602: "Molotov"
Treaty between Germany and the USSR
http://www.historycommission.ee/temp/pdf/conclusions_en_1940-1941.pdf 1940-1941, Conclusions // Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/latvia/history/occupation-aspects/
http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/policy/4641/4661/4671/?print=on
- "Resolution regarding the Baltic States adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe" September 29, 1960
- Resolution 1455 (2005) "Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation" June 22, 2005
(English) European Parliament (January 13, 1983). "Resolution on the situation in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania". Official Journal of the European Communities C 42/78.
(English) European Parliament resolution on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945
(English) European Parliament resolution of 24 May 2007 on Estonia
Russian Foreign Ministry: The West recognized the Baltic states as part of the USSR
Archive of foreign policy of the USSR. The Case of the Anglo-French-Soviet Negotiations, 1939 (vol. III), l. 32 - 33. quoted in:
Archive of foreign policy of the USSR. The Case of the Anglo-French-Soviet Negotiations, 1939 (vol. III), l. 240. cited in: Military Literature: Studies: Zhilin P. A. How Nazi Germany prepared an attack on the Soviet Union
Winston Churchill. Memoirs
Meltyukhov Mikhail Ivanovich Stalin's missed chance. The Soviet Union and the struggle for Europe: 1939-1941
Telegram No. 442 dated September 25 by Schulenburg at the German Foreign Ministry // Subject to disclosure: USSR - Germany. 1939-1941: Documents and materials. Comp. Y. Felshtinsky. M.: Mosk. worker, 1991.
Mutual Assistance Pact between the USSR and the Republic of Estonia // Plenipotentiary representatives report ... - M., International relationships, 1990 - pp. 62-64
Mutual Assistance Pact between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of Latvia // Plenipotentiaries inform ... - M., International Relations, 1990 - pp. 84-87
Agreement on the transfer of the city of Vilna and the Vilna region to the Republic of Lithuania and on mutual assistance between the Soviet Union and Lithuania // Plenipotentiaries inform ... - M., International relations, 1990 - pp. 92-98

In the elections of July 14, 1940, pro-communist organizations won the victory in the Baltic States, which subsequently carried out the accession of these countries to the USSR. In Estonia, the turnout was 84.1% and the Union of Working People received 92.8% of the vote, in Lithuania the turnout was 95.51%, and 99.19% of voters supported the Union of Working People, in Latvia the turnout was 94.8%, and The bloc of working people won with 97.8% of the vote.

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These days marks the 70th anniversary of the accession of the Baltic States to the Soviet Union

These days marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet power in the Baltics. On July 21-22, 1940, the parliaments of the three Baltic countries proclaimed the creation of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republics and adopted the Declaration on joining the USSR. Already in early August 1940, they became part of the Soviet Union. The current authorities of the Baltic states interpret the events of those years as an annexation. In turn, Moscow categorically disagrees with this approach and points out that the accession of the Baltic states was in line with international law.

Let us recall the background of this question. The Soviet Union and the Baltic countries signed agreements on mutual assistance, according to which, by the way, the USSR received the right to deploy a military contingent in the Baltics. Meanwhile, Moscow began to declare that the Baltic governments were violating the agreements, and later the Soviet leadership received information about the activation of the German fifth column in Lithuania. The Second World War was on, Poland and France had already been defeated by that time, and, of course, the USSR could not allow the transition of the Baltic countries to the zone of German influence. In this, in fact, emergency Moscow demanded that the Baltic governments allow additional Soviet troops into their territory. In addition, the USSR put forward political demands, which, in fact, meant a change of power in the Baltics.

Moscow's terms were accepted, and early parliamentary elections were held in the three Baltic countries, in which pro-communist forces won a landslide victory, despite a very high voter turnout. The new government carried out the accession of these countries to the Soviet Union.

If you do not engage in legal chicanery, but speak on the merits, then calling what happened an occupation would mean sinning against the truth. Who doesn't know what's in Soviet times Was the Baltics a privileged region? Thanks to the colossal investments that were made in the Baltic States from the all-Union budget, the standard of living in the new Soviet republics was one of the highest. By the way, this gave rise to unfounded illusions, and at the everyday level, conversations in the spirit began to be heard: “if we live so well under occupation, then, having gained independence, we will achieve a standard of living like in the West.” Practice has shown what these empty dreams were worth. None of the three Baltic states ever turned into a second Sweden or Finland. Quite the opposite, when the “occupier” left, everyone saw that the really very high standard of living in the Baltic republics was largely supported by subsidies from Russia.

All these things are obvious, but political demagogy ignores even easily verified facts. And here our Foreign Ministry needs to keep an eye out. Under no circumstances should this interpretation be accepted. historical facts, which is followed by the current authorities of the Baltic States. They will also charge us for the "occupation", because Russia is the successor of the USSR. So the assessment of the events of seventy years ago is not only of historical interest, but also has a direct bearing on our life today.

"""In order to sort out the issue, the site turned to MGIMO associate professor Olga Nikolaevna Chetverikova."""

We do not recognize this as an occupation, and this is the main stumbling block. The arguments of our country are that this cannot be called an occupation, because what happened is in line with the international legal norms that existed in those years. From this point of view, there is nothing to complain about. And they consider, that elections in diets have been falsified. The secret protocols to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact are also being considered. They say that this was agreed with the German authorities, but no one has seen all these documents, no one can confirm the reality of their existence.

First, it is necessary to clear the source base, documentary, archival, and then you can already say something. Serious research is needed, and as Ilyukhin said well, those archives that present the events of those years in a light that is unfavorable to the West are not published.

In any case, the position of our leadership is half-hearted and inconsistent. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was condemned, and, accordingly, the unknown, existing or non-existent secret protocols were condemned.

I think if the Soviet Union had not annexed the Baltics, then Germany would have annexed the Baltics, or it would have had the same conditions as France or Belgium. All of Europe was then actually under the control of the German authorities.

Failure "Eastern Pact" was due to the difference in interests of the contracting parties. Thus, the Anglo-French missions received detailed secret instructions from their general staffs, which determined the goals and nature of the negotiations - the note of the French general staff said, in particular, that along with a number of political benefits that England and France would receive in connection with the accession of the USSR, this would allow him to be drawn into the conflict: "it is not in our interests that he remains out of the conflict, keeping his forces intact" . The Soviet Union, which considered at least two Baltic republics - Estonia and Latvia - as a sphere of its national interests, defended this position at the negotiations, but did not meet with understanding from the partners. As for the governments of the Baltic states themselves, they preferred guarantees from Germany, with which they were connected by a system of economic agreements and non-aggression pacts. According to Churchill, “An obstacle to the conclusion of such an agreement (with the USSR) was the horror that these same border states experienced before Soviet help in the form of Soviet armies that could pass through their territories to protect them from the Germans and, along the way, include them in the Soviet-Communist system. After all, they were the most violent opponents of this system. Poland, Romania, Finland and the three Baltic states did not know what they feared more - German aggression or Russian salvation. .

1939. The beginning of the war in Europe

Mutual Assistance Pacts and Treaty of Friendship and Boundary

Independent Baltic states on the map of the Small Soviet Encyclopedia. April 1940

The situation in the Baltic states themselves was alarming and contradictory. Against the background of rumors about the upcoming Soviet-German division of the Baltic states, which were refuted by diplomats from both sides, part of the ruling circles of the Baltic states were ready to continue rapprochement with Germany, many were anti-German and counted on the help of the USSR in maintaining the balance of power in the region and national independence, while the underground left-wing forces were ready to support joining the USSR.

Almost immediately after the signing of mutual assistance treaties, negotiations began on the basing of Soviet troops on the territory of the Baltic states.

The fact that the Russian armies had to stand on this line was absolutely necessary for the security of Russia against the Nazi threat. Be that as it may, this line exists, and the Eastern Front has been created, which Nazi Germany will not dare to attack. When Herr Ribbentrop was summoned to Moscow last week, he had to learn and accept the fact that the implementation of the Nazi plans in relation to the Baltic countries and Ukraine must be finally stopped.

original text(English)

That the Russian armies should stand on this line was clearly necessary for the safety of Russia against the Nazi menace. At any rate, the line is there, and an Eastern front has been created which Nazi Germany does not dare assail. When Herr von Ribbentrop was summoned to Moscow last week it was to learn the fact, and to accept the fact that the Nazi designs upon the Baltic States and upon the Ukraine must come to a dead stop.

On the basis of a friendly agreement concluded between Latvia and the USSR on mutual assistance, the first echelons of Soviet troops proceeded on October 29, 1939 through the border station Zilupe. To meet the Soviet troops, a guard of honor with a military band was lined up ....

... The recently concluded mutual assistance agreement with the Soviet Union strengthens the security of our and its borders ...

Ultimatums of the summer of 1940 and the removal of the Baltic governments

The entry of the Baltic states into the USSR

Consequences

The accession of the Baltic States with the USSR delayed the appearance of the Baltic states planned by Hitler allied to the Third Reich

Contemporary politics

Differences in the assessment of the events of 1940 and the subsequent history of the Baltic countries within the USSR are a source of unrelenting tension in relations between Russia and the Baltics. In Latvia and Estonia, many issues regarding the legal status of Russian-speaking residents - migrants of the 1940-1991 era have not yet been resolved. and their descendants (see Non-citizens (Latvia) and Non-citizens (Estonia)), since only citizens of the pre-war Republics of Latvia and Estonia and their descendants were recognized as citizens of these states (in Estonia, citizens of the Estonian SSR also supported the independence of the Republic of Estonia in a referendum on March 3, 1991) , the rest were struck in civil rights, which created a situation unique for modern Europe for the existence of discrimination regimes on its territory. .

The opinion of historians and political scientists

Some foreign historians and political scientists, as well as some modern Russian researchers, characterize this process as the occupation and annexation of independent states by the Soviet Union, carried out gradually, as a result of a series of military-diplomatic and economic steps and against the backdrop of the Second World War unfolding in Europe. In this regard, the term is sometimes used in journalism Soviet occupation of the Baltics reflecting this point of view. Modern politicians also talk about incorporations, as about a softer version of the attachment. According to the former head of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Janis Jurkans, “It is the word incorporation» . Baltic historians emphasize the violation of democratic norms during the extraordinary parliamentary elections held at the same time in all three states in the conditions of a significant Soviet military presence, as well as the fact that in the elections held on July 14 and 15, 1940, only one list of candidates put forward by the Bloc of the Working People, and all other alternative lists were rejected. Baltic sources believe that the election results were rigged and did not reflect the will of the people. For example, in the text posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, information is provided that “ In Moscow, the Soviet news agency TASS gave information about the mentioned election results already twelve hours before the start of the counting of votes in Latvia» . He also cites the opinion of Dietrich André Loeber - one of the former soldiers of the Abwehr sabotage and reconnaissance unit "Brandenburg 800" in 1941-1945 - that the annexation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was fundamentally illegal: since it is based on intervention and occupation. . From this it is concluded that the decisions of the Baltic parliaments to join the USSR were predetermined in advance.

Otto Latsis, a well-known scientist and publicist, stated in an interview with Radio Liberty - Free Europe in May 2005:

took place incorporation Latvia, but not the occupation"

Notes

Semiryaga M.I. - Secrets of Stalin's diplomacy. 1939-1941. - Chapter VI: Troubled Summer, M.: Higher School, 1992. - 303 p. - Circulation 50,000 copies.
Guryanov A. E. The scale of the deportation of the population deep into the USSR in May-June 1941, memo.ru
Michael Keating, John McGarry Minority nationalism and the changing international order. - Oxford University Press, 2001. - P. 343. - 366 p. - ISBN 0199242143
Jeff Chinn, Robert John Kaiser Russians as the new minority: ethnicity and nationalism in the Soviet successor states. - Westview Press, 1996. - P. 93. - 308 p. - ISBN 0813322480
Great Historical Encyclopedia: For schoolchildren and students, page 602: "Molotov"
Treaty between Germany and the USSR
http://www.historycommission.ee/temp/pdf/conclusions_en_1940-1941.pdf 1940-1941, Conclusions // Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity]
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/latvia/history/occupation-aspects/
http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/policy/4641/4661/4671/?print=on
- "Resolution regarding the Baltic States adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe" September 29, 1960
- Resolution 1455 (2005) "Honouring of obligations and commitments by the Russian Federation" June 22, 2005
(English) European Parliament (January 13, 1983). "Resolution on the situation in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania". Official Journal of the European Communities C 42/78.
(English) European Parliament resolution on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945
(English) European Parliament resolution of 24 May 2007 on Estonia
Russian Foreign Ministry: The West recognized the Baltic states as part of the USSR
Archive of foreign policy of the USSR. The Case of the Anglo-French-Soviet Negotiations, 1939 (vol. III), l. 32 - 33. quoted in:
Archive of foreign policy of the USSR. The Case of the Anglo-French-Soviet Negotiations, 1939 (vol. III), l. 240. cited in: Military Literature: Studies: Zhilin P. A. How Nazi Germany prepared an attack on the Soviet Union
Winston Churchill. Memoirs
Meltyukhov Mikhail Ivanovich Stalin's missed chance. The Soviet Union and the struggle for Europe: 1939-1941
Telegram No. 442 dated September 25 by Schulenburg at the German Foreign Ministry // Subject to disclosure: USSR - Germany. 1939-1941: Documents and materials. Comp. Y. Felshtinsky. M.: Mosk. worker, 1991.
Mutual Assistance Pact between the USSR and the Republic of Estonia // Plenipotentiaries inform ... - M., International relations, 1990 - pp. 62-64
Mutual Assistance Pact between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of Latvia // Plenipotentiaries inform ... - M., International Relations, 1990 - pp. 84-87
Agreement on the transfer of the city of Vilna and the Vilna region to the Republic of Lithuania and on mutual assistance between the Soviet Union and Lithuania // Plenipotentiaries inform ... - M., International relations, 1990 - pp. 92-98

An independent state of Lithuania was proclaimed under German sovereignty on February 16, 1918, and on November 11, 1918, the country gained full independence. From December 1918 to August 1919, Soviet power existed in Lithuania and units of the Red Army were stationed in the country.

During the Soviet-Polish war in July 1920, the Red Army occupied Vilnius (transferred to Lithuania in August 1920). In October 1920, Poland occupied the Vilnius region, which in March 1923, by decision of the conference of Entente ambassadors, became part of Poland.

(Military Encyclopedia. Military Publishing. Moscow. In 8 volumes, 2004)

On August 23, 1939, a non-aggression pact and secret agreements on the division of spheres of influence (the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) were signed between the USSR and Germany, which were then supplemented by new agreements of August 28; according to the latter, Lithuania entered the sphere of influence of the USSR.

On October 10, 1939, the Soviet-Lithuanian Treaty of Mutual Assistance was concluded. By agreement, the Vilnius Territory, occupied by the Red Army in September 1939, was transferred to Lithuania, and Soviet troops numbering 20 thousand people were stationed on its territory.

On June 14, 1940, the USSR, accusing the Lithuanian government of violating the treaty, demanded the creation of a new government. On June 15, an additional contingent of Red Army troops was introduced into the country. The People's Seimas, elections for which were held on July 14 and 15, proclaimed the establishment of Soviet power in Lithuania and appealed to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR with a request to accept the republic into the Soviet Union.

The independence of Lithuania was recognized by the Decree of the State Council of the USSR of September 6, 1991. Diplomatic relations with Lithuania were established on October 9, 1991.

On July 29, 1991, the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Interstate Relations between the RSFSR and the Republic of Lithuania was signed in Moscow (entered into force in May 1992). On October 24, 1997, the Treaty on the Russian-Lithuanian state border and the Treaty on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf in the Baltic Sea (entered into force in August 2003). To date, 8 interstate, 29 intergovernmental and about 15 interagency treaties and agreements have been concluded and are in effect.

Political contacts in last years are limited. The official visit of the President of Lithuania to Moscow took place in 2001. Last meeting at the level of heads of government was held in 2004.

In February 2010, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Helsinki Baltic Sea Action Summit.

The basis of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Lithuania is the agreement on trade and economic relations of 1993 (was adapted to EU standards in 2004 in connection with the entry into force for Lithuania of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Russia and the EU).

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources.