Moscow opens a peace channel to the Ryti government
Finnish contacts through Stockholm had created a back channel between Helsinki and Moscow during January. On 29 January Molotov signalled Soviet willingness to make an agreement with the Ryti-Tanner government. The change moved the Terijoki administration out of the centre of Soviet diplomacy and gave the Finnish government a route toward formal negotiations. Sweden's role as intermediary became increasingly important as Finnish leaders weighed battlefield endurance against the prospects for outside military aid. The diplomatic opening arrived just as the Red Army completed preparations for its renewed offensive. Peace terms…
Continue in The Winter War →