The Signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop
Pact
Central State Archive of Photo and Cinema,
St. Petersburg
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.
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