Pact of Friendship, Non-Aggression, and Neutrality between Italy and the USSR
other, and to take no measures which would result in excluding
the other party from any kind of participation in its foreign
trade.
Article V. Each of the high contracting parties undertakes to
respect in all relations the sovereignty or dominion of the other
party over all its territories as defined in Article I of the present
treaty, in no way to interfere in its internal affairs, and in particu-
lar, to refrain from any action inclining toward incitement or
encouragement of any kind of agitation, propaganda or attempts
at intervention which would have the aim of violating the terri-
torial integrity of the other party or of changing by force the
political or social structure of all or part of its territory.
Each of the high contracting parties binds itself in particular
not to form, nor support, nor subsidize, nor permit on its terri-
tory either any military organizations whose purpose is armed
struggle against the other party, nor organizations taking upon
themselves the rôle of government or of representatives of all or
part of the territory of the other.
Article VI. The high contracting parties, having already rec-
ognized in the General Pact for the Renunciation of War of
August 27,1928, that the regulation and settlement of all dis-
putes and conflicts, whatever their nature or origin, which
might arise between them should always be sought by peaceful
means only, confirm this statement, and in order to make it
effective, attach a Convention on Conciliation Procedure to the
present treaty.
Article VII. The present treaty, of which both Russian and
French texts will have identical force, will be ratified and ratifi-
cation instruments exchanged in Moscow.
It will enter into force beginning with the aforesaid exchange
of instruments and will remain in force until the expiration of a
period of one year from the day when one of the high contract-
ing parties informs the other of its intention to denounce it.
Announcement of such intention may not, however, take place
before the expiration of a two-year period counted from the day
of the entry into effect of the present treaty.
Done in Paris, in two copies, November 29, 1932.
DOVGALEVSKY.
HERRIOT.
4.1274 Pact of Friendship, Non-Aggression,
and Neutrality between Italy and the USSR
Alliance Members:Soviet Union and Italy
Signed On:September 2, 1933, in the city of Rome. In force until June
22, 1941.
Alliance Type:Neutrality Pact (Type II)
Source:League of Nations Treaty Series,no. 3418.
SUMMARY
This treaty was one of the final collective security agreements penned
by the Soviets during the interwar period. Relations with Mussolini’s
Italy had been strong, and this pact reinforced those bilateral ties. After
signing the pact, Foreign Minister Maxim Litvinov of the Soviet
Union visited Rome and concluded a trade agreement. The Italians
were also instrumental in opening ties between the Soviets and Hun-
gary. Although the Soviets thought these agreements isolated Ger-
many, the Italo-German alignment that formed the backbone of the
coalition of Axis powers was stronger, and this agreement ended in
June of 1941 when Italy backed Nazi forces and attacked Soviet Russia.
Alliance Text
His Majesty the King of Italy and the Central Executive Com-
mittee of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
Animated by a desire to contribute by all means in their
power to the maintenance of general peace,
Having regard to the continuity of the friendly relations
which unite the two countries,
Being resolved to continue to follow their policy of the most
complete abstention from interference in the internal affairs of
their respective countries,
Have agreed to consolidate the relations existing between
Italy and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by the conclu-
sion of the present Treaty and have for that purpose appointed
their Plenipotentiaries:
His Majesty the King of Italy: His Excellency Benito Mus-
solini, Head of the Government, Prime Minister Secretary of
State, Minister Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs;
The Central Executive Committee of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics: M. Vladimir Potemkine, Ambassador of the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in Rome;
Who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and
due form, have agreed upon the following provisions:
Article 1. Each of the High Contracting Parties undertakes
with regard to the other, whether alone or jointly with one or
more third Powers, either to war or to any aggression by land,
sea, or air against that other Party, and to respect the inviolabil-
ity of the territories placed under that Party’s sovereignty.
Article 2. Should either High Contracting Party by the object
of aggression on the part of one or more third Powers, the other
High Contracting Party undertakes to maintain neutrality
throughout the duration of the conflict.
Should either High Contracting Party resort to aggression
against any Power, the other High Contracting Party may
denounce the present Treaty without notice.
Article 3. Each of the High Contracting Parties undertakes,
for the duration of the present Treaty, not to become a party to
any international agreement of which the effect in practice
would be to prevent the purchase of goods from or the sale of
goods or granting of credits to the other Party, and not to take
any measure which would result in the exclusion of the other
Party from any participation in its foreign trade.
Article 4. Each of the High Contracting Parties undertakes
not to become a party to any agreement of a political or eco-
nomic character or any combination directed against either
Party.
Article 5. The undertakings set forth in the preceding Arti-
cles shall not in any way limit or modify the rights and