Soviet Diplomacy and Intelligence Efforts to Facilitate Finland’s Withdrawal from the 1941–1944 War: Insights from Russian Archives

In early 1941, Moscow learned through its intelligence channels and diplomatic efforts about the growing rapprochement between Berlin and Helsinki that consisted of increased German–Finnish military collaboration, the deployment of German troops and military equipment in Finland, the recruitment of Finnish volunteers for SS units in Germany, the construction of fortifications along the Soviet border, and the massing of Finnish forces near the Soviet border. Despite initially maintaining neutrality after Germany’s invasion of the USSR, Finland declared war on the Soviet Union on June 26, 1941. The Finnish side got the better of the Soviet Union during the early phase of operations on the Soviet–Finnish front from July to December 1941. This was followed by a “positional war” that continued from late December 1941 until summer 1944, with little change to the front line. During this period, Stockholm emerged as a key geopolitical hub where Soviet diplomats, led by Alexandra Kollontai, and intelligence officers navigated the complex task of encouraging Finland to engage in peace talks with the Soviet Union and withdraw from the war. Sweden’s neutrality in the conflict and its traditionally strong ties with Finland positioned it as an effective mediator in these negotiations. Additionally, Moscow successfully lobbied Washington to exert diplomatic pressure on Helsinki to initiate negotiations, which gradually began to yield positive results. The multifaceted efforts of Soviet diplomats and intelligence officers, coupled with Kollontai’s active involvement in this diplomatic endeavour, led to two rounds of Soviet–Finnish negotiations in Moscow in March and September 1944. While the March talks faltered due to the positions taken by the Finnish delegates and politicians, the September negotiations succeeded in persuading Finland to agree to a truce and cease hostilities. This diplomatic victory contributed to the gradual disintegration of the anti-USSR coalition led by Germany, with Finland becoming a crucial component to exit this alliance.