The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact and its importance

The German-Soviet Non-aggression Treaty of 23 August 1939 established the supremacy of Germany and the Soviet Union over Eastern Europe and prepared the way for the beginning of the Second World War. The pact included an additional secret protocol which provided for the division of spheres of influence among the two powers, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Article 3 mentioned the interest of the Soviet side in Bessarabia and the total disinterest of Germany towards South-East Europe.