Treaty of Non-Aggression

Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Treaty of Non-Aggression. August 23, 1939

 

Original Source: Pravda, 24 August 1939.

The Governments of the German Reich and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics directed by the wish to strengthen the cause of peace between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and proceeding upon the basic provisions of the treaty of neutrality concluded between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in April 1926 have reached the following agreement:

Article I

The two contracting parties undertake to refrain from any act of violence, any aggressive action or any attack against one another whether individually or jointly with other powers.

Article II

In case one of the contracting parties should become the object of war-like acts on the part of a third power the other contracting party will not support that third power in any form.

Article III

The Governments of the two contracting parties will in future remain contact with each other through continuous consultations in order to inform each other concerning questions affecting their mutual interests.

Article IV

Neither of the two contracting parties will participate in any grouping of powers which is indirectly or directly aimed against the other party.

Article V

Should disputes or conflicts arise between the contracting parties regarding questions of any kind whatsoever, the two parties would clear away these disputes or conflicts solely by means of friendly exchanges of views or if necessary, by arbitration commissions.

Article VI

The present treaty is concluded for a period of ten years with the provision that unless one of the contracting parties denounces it one year before the end of this period the duration of the validity of this treaty is to be regarded as automatically prolonged for another five years.

Article VII

The present treaty is to be ratified within the shortest possible time. The documents of ratification are to be exchanged in Berlin. The treaty becomes effective immediately upon signature.

Drawn up in duplicate texts in the German and Russian languages.

Moscow, August 23, 1939.

RIBBENTROP
MOLOTOV

Source: Department of State Bulletin (26 August 1939), p. 172.

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