Friendly is a stretch, but they certainly did agree to spheres of influence, which was the style at the time.
It is worth noting Germany had already reshaped Eastern Europe. I think Poland, Yugoslavia, and Greece were the only countries whose borders hadn’t already been altered or erased by what would become Axis powers. The Soviet response to Germany’s sudden request for non-aggression was more of a “We’ll believe it when we see it” type deal.
The pact was, in essence, calling the British and French’s bluff about guaranteeing Poland and Romanian Independence.
It broke the confidence of the Allied powers that they could let the Nazis and Soviets grind themselves up without getting directly involved.
Friendly is a stretch, but they certainly did agree to spheres of influence, which was the style at the time.
It is worth noting Germany had already reshaped Eastern Europe. I think Poland, Yugoslavia, and Greece were the only countries whose borders hadn’t already been altered or erased by what would become Axis powers. The Soviet response to Germany’s sudden request for non-aggression was more of a “We’ll believe it when we see it” type deal.
The pact was, in essence, calling the British and French’s bluff about guaranteeing Poland and Romanian Independence.
It broke the confidence of the Allied powers that they could let the Nazis and Soviets grind themselves up without getting directly involved.