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  Selected Secret Documents from Soviet Foreign Policy Documents Archives - 1919 to 1941

Concentrated on 1st and  2nd WW Correspondence and Meetings related to Turkey, Balkans and Iran, with some additions from Afghanistan and India.

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From: conversation of the peopleʹs commissar for foreign affairs of the USSR V. M. Molotov with the ambassador of the Turkish republic in the USSR A. Aktaem

August 9, 1940

..

Comrade Molotov replies that he spoke on this score at the supreme council, mentioning the flights of Turkish planes. There is one more fact about which it was inconvenient to speak at the supreme Soviet, but which can be said to the ambassador. The fact is that the us ambassador Steinhardt told the USSR plenipotentiary in the us, comrade Umansky, about the questions that were put to him from the Turkish side in Moscow. For example, he was asked what kind of fire‐fighting equipment are available in the Soviet oil‐bearing regions.

The ambassador says that he can, if comrade. Molotov wishes to bring and show his telegram about the conversation with Steinhardt, sent to Ankara. He sent this telegram only to show his government the sensitivity that existed in Moscow towards the oil‐bearing regions, and also so that his government could refute rumors of a possible attack on the USSR through Turkey. According to the ambassador, Turkey would never and would not allow anyone to attack the Soviet Union through its territory. The Turks know that every trouble for the USSR is at the same time a trouble for Turkey.

Comrade Molotov points out that the documents published by the Germans *, as well as what was said from the Turkish side to Steinhardt in February‐March of this year. G. not only confirmed the point of view of the Soviet government, but also gave something more. For its part, the Soviet Union did not give any reasons for the deterioration of relations with Turkey. On the Turkish side, there were facts that did not improve relations with the Soviet Union. Using Aktay’s presence in Ankara, the Turkish government could discuss the issue of improving Soviet‐Turkish relations, taking into account the attitude of the USSR to

the undesirable facts already mentioned.

Aktay says that he is convinced that his government is ready to start improving relations with the USSR, but it would like to receive from comrade. Molotov any advice or his thoughts on how to improve this relationship. According to the ambassador, the Soviet‐Turkish differences are easy to overcome. There is only an atmosphere of mistrust between Turkey and the USSR that can be dispelled. The Germans seized the opportunity and published documents to darken Soviet‐Turkish relations.

To this comrade. Molotov notes that he is not talking about German politics, but in this case, he is talking about the policy of the Soviet government. Comrade Molotov states that he was upset when negotiations with Turkey in the fall came to nothing50. However, after these negotiations, the Soviet government did not commit any acts that would complicate relations between the USSR and Turkey. If there were no such acts on the Turkish side, it would be better. The Soviet governmentʹs point of view is not aimed at deteriorating relations with Turkey, if the Turkish government so wishes.

The ambassador says he cannot understand how the Turkish government can be held accountable for plans that were made without his knowledge. You never know what Weygand was planning, the French or English general staffs. If Turkey was weak, then England and France would try to attack the Soviet Union through its territory, but they did not even ask the Turkish government about it, because they were sure in advance of the refusal. The Turkish government did not receive any proposals for an attack on the Soviet oil‐bearing regions.

The ambassador again raises the question of what the Turkish government should do to dispel the atmosphere of mistrust in relations with the USSR.

Comrade Molotov says that he would not like to return to the issues of the past period, talk about Weygand’s plans, etc., however, it should be noted that Turkey remains an ally of England and France, and Weygand was a regular guest in Ankara. As for the future, there is no reason for relations between Turkey and the USSR to deteriorate. If there is an intention on the part of Turkey to improve relations with the USSR, then there will be no difficulties from the Soviet side. We would like to see Soviet‐Turkish relations improve. We have to think about it, and the Turkish government has to think about it too. The Turkish government, for its part, must see what it should do to improve relations with the USSR.

Saying goodbye, Aktay says that he notes with satisfaction that comrade. Molotov views the past as the past. According to the ambassador, the Soviet and Turkish governments can come to an agreement and open a new era of friendship between each other. The ambassador promises to do everything in his power in Ankara to improve Soviet‐Turkish relations.

Comrade Molotov wishes him success and a pleasant journey.

Recorded subcerob

Avp rf, f. 06, on. 2, p. 2, d. 15, l. 34‐37.