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. Should disputes or conflicts arise between
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