Today in History – 18 June

German-Turkish Non-Aggression Pact is signed

During World War II, Turkey’s security had entered a critical period once Germany occupied Bulgaria in February of 1941. However, Hitler’s real target was Russia and, announcing that he would not be attacking Turkey, Hitler called upon Ankara to sign a non-aggression pact. Once the Turkish government agreed to the offer to ward off Germany, a non-aggression pact was signed between the two countries on June 18, 1941 on the condition that Turkey’s prior diplomatic engagements and responsibilities would not be hampered.

Merely four days after the signing of the pact, Hitler’s armies attacked the Soviet Union. Soviet historians argue that Germany had relied on the non-aggression pact signed with Turkey to make this move. However, Moscow was engaged in a similar alliance with Berlin at the time. So much so that when the German attack began, Stalin assumed there was a misunderstanding and ordered to continue supplying certain strategic materials the German army needed.