Abstract
From August 23, 1939 to June 22, 1941 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics remained aloof from the conflict which had engulfed most of Europe. During the spring of 1939, the Soviet Union maintained simultaneous negotiations with Germany and Great Britain. Russia was acutely aware of Germany's might. All of Europe had witnessed the growing strength of Germany and Italy and the drastic consequences of their ambitions. Russia had joined with Great Britain and France in March 1939 denouncing Hitler's actions in Czechoslovakia. Yet, subsequent negotiations between England and Russia, during the spring and summer of 1939, failed. A basic weakness evidenced itself in opposing interests over Poland. And the problem of defining indirect aggression, proved the futility of the situation