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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 the diary of the plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in the Turkish republic ca. Vinogradova

Sent to comrade Molotov, comrade Vyshinsky, general secretariat

March 2, 1941  secret

Cripps came to me with Hugessen. After exchanging the usual pleasantries when we first met, I noted that the past week had been very active, both from England and from Germany. I then inquired whether the message published in the Anag bulletin that the British envoy in Sofia had delivered an ultimatum to the Bulgarian government was correct. Both Cripps and Hugessen categorically stated that this was not true.

I then asked Hugessen if Mr. Eden was satisfied with the results of his conversations with the Turkish leaders?

Hugessen said: “yes, he is satisfied. These conversations showed us the firmness of the Turkish government and its determination to loyally fulfill its obligations. ʺ

I noticed that it is interesting to know what impact this visit will have on the situation in the Balkans.

Hugessen said: “keeping peace in the Balkans will also depend on your country. It would be very nice if you supported him. ʺ

When I asked who wants our support, Hugessen and Cripps replied that this is necessary first of all for the Turks.

I asked if the Turks had any fears on our part.

Hugessen said: ʺno, they have no particular fears, but if they received assurances from you that you would not do anything against Turkey, they could safely transfer all their troops to Thrace.ʺ

I noticed that the Turks should be well aware of the attitude and position of our country and that I have repeatedly heard from the Turkish leaders an indication that they are confident in the friendly attitude of our country towards Turkey.

Cripps noted: ʺit is necessary to take into account that German propaganda is constantly trying to prove to the Turks that there is a certain threat from you.ʺ

I said that I had never heard from the Turks that they wanted to receive any assurances from us.

Cripps remarked: “as far as I know, Aktay conveyed to Mr. Molotov the desire of the Turkish government to expand and deepen relations between your countries. But he didn’t seem to have received any answer from you”.

Hughessen added that he also heard that the Turkish government expressed a desire to expand relations between Turkey and the USSR but had no answer to this.

I said that, as far as I know, the Turkish government, or rather the Turkish ambassador in Moscow, addressed the head of our government with such a question, but he received an answer to this, and the further depended on the Turkish government itself.

..................

I did not answer this question, indicating that I was not aware of this.

Plenipotentiary of the USSR in Turkey Vinogradov avp rf, f. 0132, on. 24, p. 236, d. 3, l. 19‐24.