As a result of Soviet aggression against Finland in the Russo-Finnish War during the winter of 1939-40, by which Finland was forced to cede territory to the Soviet Union, Finland subsequently allied itself with Germany and against the Soviets in what is sometimes called the Continuation War, and Finnish forces even joined in on the German invasion of the Soviet Union. After the Battle of Stalingrad, which turned the tide of the eastern front war against the seemingly unstoppable Nazis, Finland attempted to withdraw from the war. After Finnish negotiations with the Soviets broke down in February 1944, Joseph Stalin became determined to move against Finland once again and on June 9, 1944, commenced a major offensive across the Karelian Isthmus.

At this stage, the Finns were in no condition to resist, in contrast to four years earlier. The Red Army rapidly achieved a breakthrough, driving the Finns back behind Viipuri. Finnish commander in chief Carl Gustaf Mannerheim reluctantly called on the Germans to provide assistance. This was obtained in return for a Finnish promise not to make a separate peace with the Soviets. The pledge given, Finland was bolstered by German troops and was able to stabilize the line of Soviet advance by August, at a position near the Finnish-Soviet frontier established at the end of the Russo-Finnish conflict in 1940. At this point, Stalin and his Red Army commanders decided that resources could be better employed elsewhere, especially since Finland had been effectively neutralized.

Despite its pledge to Germany, Finland concluded an armistice with the Soviets on September 19, 1944, which formally reestablished the 1940 frontier and obligated Finland to pay heavy reparations. At that, it turned out to be a cheap forfeit. Whereas the other nations of the east that had allied themselves with Germany fell under Soviet domination after the war, Finland emerged with both its sovereignty and democratic government intact.

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