Text of the Nazi-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:
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 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 proviso that, in so far as one of the High
Contracting Parties does not advance it one year prior to the
expiration of this period, the validity of this Treaty shall automatically
be extended for another five years.
Article VII. 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.
[The section below was not published at the time
the above was announced.]
Secret Additional Protocol.
Article I. 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 U.S.S.R. In this connection the interest of Lithuania in the
Vilna area is recognized by each party.
Article II. 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 Narev, Vistula and San.
The question of whether the interests of both parties make desirable
the maintenance of an independent Polish States 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.
Article III. With regard to Southeastern Europe attention
is called by the Soviet side to its interest in Bessarabia. The
German side declares its complete political disinteredness in
these areas.
Article IV. 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
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(c)Paul Halsall Aug 1997
