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TheSoviet–Latvian Mutual Assistance Treaty (Russian:Пакт о взаимопомощи между СССР и Латвийской Республикой,Latvian:Savstarpējās palīdzības pakts starp Latviju un PSRS) was abilateral treaty between theSoviet Union andLatvia, signed in Moscow on October 5, 1939. The treaty obliged both parties to respect each other's sovereignty and independence, while in practice allowed the Soviet government to establishmilitary bases inLatvia, which facilitated theSoviet invasion of the country in June 1940.
It was signed by Latvian Minister of Foreign AffairsVilhelms Munters and Soviet Commissar of Foreign AffairsVyacheslav Molotov. Ratifications were exchanged inRiga on October 11, 1939, and the treaty became effective on the same day. It was registered inLeague of Nations Treaty Series on November 6, 1939.[1]
On 23 August 1939 theSoviet Union asserted its control over the Baltic states with theMolotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The Sovietsinvaded Poland on 17 September, concluding operations on 6 October. After occupying easternPoland, the Soviets pressuredFinland and the Baltic states to conclude mutual assistance treaties. The Soviets questioned the neutrality ofEstonia following theescape of a Polish submarine on 18 September. A week later, on 24 September, the Estonian foreign ministerKarl Selter was given an ultimatum in Moscow.[2] After four days of negotiations, the Estonians had no choice but to accept naval, air and army bases. Soviet troop numbers in Estonia were put at 25,000. Themutual assistance treaty was signed on 28 September.[2] As a result, soon two other Baltic states yielded to Soviet pressure.
Finland was invited toenter similar negotiations on 5 October. Unlike the Baltics, the Finnish-Soviet negotiations lasted weeks without result. The Sovietsinvaded Finland on 30 November.[3]
On the morning of 15 June 1940SovietNKVD troops carried outan attack onLatvian border posts killing 5 people and taking 37 as hostages. The next day USSR accused Latvia of violating the mutual assistance treaty and demanded the formation of a new government and allowed entry of an unlimited number of Soviet troops into the country. Latvia was given 6 hours to respond to the ultimatum and, given the circumstances, it conceded to the Soviet demands.[4]