SOVJETSKA PRISUTNOST U JUGOSLOVENSKOJ POLITICI NA POČETKU DRUGOG SVETSKOG RATA
SOVIET INFLUENCE ON YUGOSLAV POLITICS IN THE BEGINNING OF WORLD WAR II

Summary/Abstract: The author reviews the influence which the USSR had on Yugoslavia in the beginning of World War II, based on accessible documents and archival sources. The imminent danger of an attack from nazi Germany on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia prompted a lively commercial and cultural exchange between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, resulting in the introduction of diplomatic relations in May 1940 and an improved cooperation between the two countries. The struggle against fascism in Yugoslavia and the gathering of all the patriotic, democratic and anti- -Fascist forces in the country for this purpose, gained the favor and support of the Soviet Union, which was especially demonstrated during the events of March 1941. In an effort to resist the attack from nazi Germany on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the government headed by General Simović declared its willingness to sign a military treaty with the USSR, accepting the entry of unlimited Soviet armed forces. This did not coincide with Soviet interests, however, and the Non-Aggression Treaty was signed between the two countries instead, during the night of 5 April. The Treaty could have no effect on the short April war, nor on the relations between the Soviet Union and Germany, which was the primary concern of the Soviet Union at that time.

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