Polish-Soviet Relations – Answers to The Times and New York Times Correspondent

May 4, 1943

The Moscow correspondent of the London Times and the New York Times, Mr. Ralph Parker, addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the U.S.S.R., Marshal Stalin, in which he asked for answers to two questions of interest to the British and American public. Stalin replied with the following letter: Dear Mr. Parker,

On May 3 I received your two questions concerning Polish-Soviet relations. Here are my answers: Question 1: Does the Government of the U.S.S.R. desire to see a strong and independent Poland after the defeat of Hitlerite Germany?

Answer: Unquestionably, it does.

Question 2: On what fundamentals is it your opinion that relations between Poland and the U.S.S.R. should be based after the war?

Answer: Upon the fundamentals of solid good
neighbourly relations and mutual respect, or, should the Polish people so desire upon the fundamentals of alliance providing for mutual assistance against the Germans as the chief enemies of the Soviet Union and Poland. May 4, 1943

With respect,

(Signed) J. Stalin