On the face of it Stalin seemed to have gained by the new arrangement, which brought the Soviet empire to the very borders of East Prussia. It is doubtful if Hitler gave it a thought; he was resolved to unleash his armies against Russia at the first opportunity. In the meantime he needed a quick settlement in the east in order to convince the western powers that there was no point in continuing the war – or more probably while he struck west to smash France and drive Britain from the continent in order finally to free himself for the real war for the east.
