Troops loyal to the Soviet had just captured Kiev. With the Rada government in flight, the territory actually represented by their articulate young representatives at Brest was little larger than the conference room in which they were currently sitting. This was true enough. But, as should have been obvious, if it came down to a simple trial of strength, it was General Hoffmann, not Trotsky, who held by far the strongest cards. Confident of their ability to create a fait accompli, the Central Powers ignored Trotsky’s threats and ended the session by formally recognizing the Rada delegation.
