40

Road to (4)

The indifferent attitude of Britain and France was also a problem, but Poland had even more no answer.

"Let those damn communists into our sacred territory? Tell him to fuck off."

"It's better to live like a pig and a dog!"

Poland, which had stronger anti-Soviet sentiments than Britain, France, or even Germany, resolutely rejected the military alliance proposed by the Soviet Union.

What kind of country is Poland?

Wasn't this a country that had been under Russian rule for hundreds of years and only achieved independence about 20 years ago?

In particular, the Soviet Union even invaded Poland, which had just become independent, in order to turn it into a puppet state again.

However, the war ended with Poland's victory, and the defeated Soviet Union had to experience the humiliation of losing Belarus and western Ukraine to Poland.

Because of this, the feelings between the two countries were very bad towards each other.

Stalin also hated Poland, which had inflicted a humiliating defeat on him in the past, but he was also willing to sign an alliance with Poland to stop Germany. I need to put out the fire urgently right now.

But Poland had no intention of doing so.

"If we join hands with Germany, Poland will lose its freedom. But if she joins the Soviet Union, she will lose her soul."

These were the words of Edvard Ritzsigwy, commander-in-chief of the Polish army and de facto ruler of Poland. The thoughts of the Polish people were no different from Ritzsimigwi.

You started a war just a few years ago and now you're brazenly forming an alliance? That's ridiculous!

The Soviet Union asked Poland to at least allow passage through its territory, but Poland refused even this.

"Who knows what they will do if they come in under the pretext of attacking Germany?"

"What kind of idiots do they think we are?"

Even though the British could not stop Poland, they got on the nerves of the Soviet Union by subtly siding with Poland.

In fact, the reason why Youngfsh showed a lukewarm attitude toward negotiations with the Soviet Union was because of Poland.

There were concerns that Poland, which rebelled against an alliance with the Soviet Union, might end up joining Germany, but they were also overconfident in Poland's capabilities.

Even though its land mass is much smaller than that of the Soviet Union, isn't it a powerhouse competing for first or second place in Eastern Europe in terms of military power?

Even in the Soviet-Polish War, even though they were pushed back to the capital city of Warsaw, they eventually won and even took territory from the Soviet Union, which was several times larger in weight.

Even without the Soviet Union's help, Poland will be able to sufficiently restrain Germany. Anyway.

Lastly, by following England's lead to Italy and supporting Poland, the Soviet Union went from being so excited to being humiliated.

It was natural for Stalin to be extremely angry.

***

"Damn imperialists. As expected, they were just playing with us and had no intention of talking to us in the first place."

"I apologize, Comrade Secretary General..."

Molotov trembled, repeatedly lowering his head as if it were his fault.

Stalin looked down at Molotov with half-pity and half-disdain and continued speaking.

"It would be better for us to fight Germany on our own than to join hands with those pigs. "Isn't that right?"

"You are right! "There are people in this country who passionately follow communist values!"

Lavrenty Beria, Stalin's confidant and head of the Soviet secret police organization NKVD, zealously disagreed with Stalin's words and argued that Britain and France should one day take proper action.

Stalin's other henchmen, Voroshilov and Nikita Khrushchev, looked at Beria with disapproving eyes, but pretended to agree with Beria's words in front of Stalin.

Because it's important now not to get on Stalin's nerves.

However, the country that approached Stalin first, who was distracted by the failure of negotiations with the West, was none other than Germany.

***

August 2, 1939

New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany

"Does the Foreign Minister think it makes sense to negotiate with communists?"

Goering sarcastically sneered at Ribbentrop, who suggested meeting and negotiating with Stalin.

Himmler and Goebbels were also dumbfounded, as if they had heard something absurd.

Bringing Russia into the alliance has long been a good choice.

Prussia did the same during the Napoleonic Wars, and Bismarck also reached out to Russia to isolate France.

However, it is a different story in today's Russia, where the Tsar has disappeared and the Communist Party has taken power.

It has fought fiercely with the Nazi Party for a long time, and the first target it destroyed after the Nazi Party came to power was the Communist Party. Will the Soviet Union really listen to Germany's proposal? You'll be lucky if you don't spit!

However, Ribbentrop responded without even raising an eyebrow, as if he had anticipated Goering's sarcasm.

"Why not? Now that negotiations with Poland have proven impossible, is there anything else we can negotiate with other than the Soviet Union?"

Ribbentrop, who was ridiculed by his rivals in the Nazi Party and the military as a liquor dealer, was undervalued by historians due to his narcissism and bravado.

I also partly agree with the historians' comments.

He is quick-witted, has excellent work ability, and has great courage, but he needs to be able to act appropriately in front of others, but he has no intention of doing so. If he could just hide his bravado and pride, his enemies would be cut in half.

However, Ribbentrop had one ability that others did not have.

The ability to discover a glimmer of possibility even in what others consider impossible.

Negotiations with the Soviet Union, which everyone thought were impossible, also came from Ribbentrop's head. And we made it happen again.

Looking at things like this, Ribbentrop is by no means a bad guy. Rather, it's the opposite.

"I agree with Ribbentrop."

"As expected of the President... Yes?"

Goering, who naturally thought I would support him, was embarrassed and stuttered.

"Why but? "As if I said something I couldn't do."

"Oh, no, Mr. President, will the communists at least listen to what we say?"

"Of course, it would have been so in the past. But not now. "You heard and know what the negotiations with Youngf turned out, right?"

As in history, the negotiations between the Soviet Union and the British Empire ended in vain without any conclusion being reached.

Stalin was angry because he thought that Youngf, who had taken a sloppy approach to the negotiations, had insulted him, and it was Nazi Germany who took advantage of the gap.

"Our biggest enemies now are England, France, and Poland. In order to fight the enemies in front of us, we must join forces with the communists. The Russians are also gritting their teeth in Poland, so they won't ignore what we say.

"You wouldn't say nonsense about dealing with these three countries at the same time just because you don't want to negotiate with communists, right?"

"Is that possible? "I just think the chances are better..."

Leaving behind Goering, who was making lame excuses, I turned my attention to Ribbentrop.

"Ribbentrop."

"yes."

"Tell this to the Soviet Union. We, Germany, are willing to negotiate with you. "I will leave this matter entirely up to your judgment."

"Thank you, Mr. President."

***

The Soviet Union immediately accepted Ribbentrop's proposal.

August 19th.

The two countries signed a trade agreement and agreed to hold a summit in Moscow.

August 23rd.

Ribbentrop, who had been given full authority by Hitler, led the German delegation and flew to Moscow.

The Moscow airport was decorated with Hakenkreuz flags, which were thought to be rare in the Soviet Union, and Molotov personally came out to greet Ribbentrop.

"Nice to meet you, Minister Ribbentrop."

"Nice to meet you too, Minister Molotov."

The two had lunch at the airport and then headed to the Kremlin.

Upon entering the Kremlin, Stalin walked out with a smile on his face and welcomed the delegation.

The Soviet military band placed on the left and right played the Nazi Party's official party song, 'Horst Wessel's Song.' This was also a song that I thought would not be heard in the Soviet Union.

"Welcome, Minister Ribbentrop. "I am Stalin."

"It is a great honor to meet Your Excellency the Secretary in person."

"We've been swearing at each other a lot until now. "Isn't that right?"

The face was smiling, but there was a bone in the words. However, Ribbentrop is also an expert in this area.

He also laughed and responded to Stalin's joke, which was not a joke.

"Rest assured. "Not from now on."

"Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"

Stalin seemed to like Ribbentrop's words and laughed heartily. Then he lightly tapped his shoulder and guided him to the conference room.

"Indeed, he seems like someone that Hitler's Führer trusts. "Now, let's go inside!"

As soon as the welcoming ceremony was over, the two countries began negotiations. Stalin himself was present at the negotiations.

"Let me ask you one thing first. "How much is Germany willing to give up for our Soviet Union?"

"I think I can answer that question if you tell me what your Excellency wants, Secretary General."

"Well, that's right. I'll be honest. We want the Baltic states and all of Finland, as well as eastern Poland and Bessarabia (Moldova)."

Ribbentrop, who heard Stalin's words, had to strain his face to keep from showing his surprise.

It was not that I was surprised that Stalin's demands were more numerous than expected, but that I was surprised by Hitler's judgment that Stalin would make the following demands.

'Stalin will definitely demand eastern Poland, Bessarabia, the Baltic states and Finland. Maybe even the Balkan Peninsula. You must agree to all of Stalin's demands except for the Balkan Peninsula. If you request anything more than that, please let me know.'

The Fuhrer's prediction was correct.

Ribbentrop pretended to ponder for a moment. He judged that if he hastily agreed to the request, he might be asked for something additional.

"Um... I understand. Then let's do it."

"Hoo?"

"Instead, we in Germany also have conditions."

"Please speak."

"I want the Soviet Union to provide supplies that Germany needs. "Here is a list of items that Germany wants from the Soviet Union."

Ribbentrop received the document from his secretary Richard Schulze and handed it to Stalin.

The document contained a list of various goods ranging from food such as wheat and barley to minerals such as iron ore, nickel, copper, and tungsten, oil, and lumber.

"Okay. "I accept it."

Stalin also accepted Germany's demands.

Negotiations lasted from afternoon to late evening.

Throughout the negotiations, the atmosphere in the meeting room was friendly, and jokes were exchanged occasionally.

August 24th.

Negotiations have ended.

Compared to the previous negotiations with YoungF, the speed was surprisingly fast.

"Smile, smile!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Negotiations were concluded and Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact. After the signature was completed, Stalin smiled broadly and shook Ribbentrop's hand.

"Starting today, I am also anti-communist."

"I will also join the Communist Party."

"Now, let's have a drink for the eternal friendship between our two countries!"

Even though Stalin had not yet tasted alcohol, he continued to laugh as if he were already drunk.

Stalin's associates, including Voroshilov, Shaposhnikov, and Molotov, stood side by side with the German delegation, smiling awkwardly.

"For peace!"

"for!"

Glasses filled with champagne clinked in the air, and a military band played music to match them.

"Please tell this to Führer Hitler. "I will keep this agreement until the end."

"Do not worry. "I will tell you well."

***

"Look there. "Am I right?"

After receiving the report that the non-aggression pact had been successfully concluded at my villa in Berchtesgaden, I spoke in a triumphant manner.

"Goering, you were wrong this time. Do you admit it?"

"yes······."

Göring concentrated on cutting the tiramisu into pieces with a sullen expression on his face.

He must have been quite displeased with the unexpected results of Ribbentrop, whom he regarded as a subordinate. Even though he has lost weight, he is still narrow-minded.

"Ribbentrop, I know he has an eccentric personality, but let's still be friendly. Aren't you the one who will rule this country after me in the future? "It's because such a person is so narrow-minded."

"I will try."

"Goebbels, you too. "I know you hate Ribbentrop, but shouldn't she recognize his abilities?"

"But Mr. President, this incident seems to be more of a coincidence than a result of his ability."

Even Goebbels, who usually obeyed my words absolutely, did not want to acknowledge my words this time.

At least Göring did not remain hostile until his death, having several conversations with Ribbentrop during the Nuremberg war crimes trials, but Goebbels, who committed suicide after Hitler, was not in the same situation. Goebbels disliked Ribbentrop to the point that he avoided even meeting him on business matters.

"You are here, Mr. President."

"Ah, Himmler. "Welcome."

Unlike Göring and Goebbels, who were in civilian clothes, Himmler was still wearing his black SS uniform.

"I have news to deliver to His Excellency the President."

"okay? "I guess this is important news?"

"It's not particularly important news, but I still think you should know."

It's not important, but I need to know? What kind of news is that?

"This is news about a novelist named Remarque."