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"Help? Of course we can help Germany. We have always strongly supported the resistance against invasion by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union is willing to provide resources to Germany at favorable prices, assisting you until you repel the foreign invaders."
Stalin was not surprised by Strasser's request. In fact, upon learning of Strasser's mission to the Soviet Union, along with intelligence from France, Stalin had a general understanding of the purpose of Strasser's visit.
In fact, it can be guessed that since the two countries have reached cooperation in economic matters, the more important collaborations remaining are likely in the political and military aspects.
"Comrade Stalin, Germany needs material assistance from the Soviet Union. Moreover, we need your military support even more. As you know, due to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany's National Defense Forces were limited to only 100,000 personnel. Even after the signing of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, we could only have 200,000 personnel, and our weaponry is very outdated."
On the opposite bank of the Rhine River, the French people have a standing army of six hundred thousand, well-equipped and the most powerful army in Europe. Relying on our two hundred thousand National Defense Forces to withstand France's six hundred thousand is like a mantis trying to stop a car.
"Comrade Strasser, while I truly want to help you, unfortunately, the current Soviet Union is like a dilapidated house; if anyone gives it a gentle kick, it will immediately fall apart."
When it comes to bargaining, Stalin naturally does not mind exaggerating his difficulties, as it is not him who is in a hurry.
"Soviet Union military is still at the level of World War I, and due to the lagging economy of Soviet Union, country cannot afford to maintain such a large military force.
After the disarmament, Soviet Army has only six hundred thousand soldiers, which is on par with France.
However, our military is not as well-equipped or tactically proficient as the French people."
Stalin was not talking nonsense. The Soviet Army in 1927 was indeed not on the same level as the French Army. This group of troops, organized by a large number of former Tsarist Russia officers, not only had worrisome actual capabilities but also had loyalty issues. In the most straightforward comparison, during World War I, France only managed to resist the attacks of the German Empire with the help of the United Nations.
Paris, however, remained in the hands of the French people. After an initial retreat, they were able to stabilize the front relatively, and with the assistance of the United States in the later stages, they were even able to counterattack. As for the Russian Empire's army, which had a large number of Tsarist Russia officers, their performance in World War I was not so impressive. Apart from taking advantage of the fact that the main force of the German army was on the Western Front at the beginning of the war, the Russian army sneaked into the rear of East Prussia, which greatly angered the Junker nobility.
Most of the time during the war, the Russian Empire's army was in retreat, and this situation was not resolved even after the "February Revolution" in 1917. Even after the "October Revolution" when the Bolsheviks seized power, Soviet Russia was still being beaten down by Germany. In September 1917, Germany captured Riga by launching "The Battle of Riga," directly threatening the capital, St. Petersburg, through Estonia.
In February 1918, Germany once again occupied Kyiv. The situation at the time was very dire, and when the American army arrived in Europe, everyone knew that the victory of the Allies was inevitable, and the failure of the Allies was already predetermined. As long as they persisted for a few more months, they would achieve the final victory.
Unfortunately, all of this had nothing to do with the newly established Soviet regime, as their army couldn't even hold on for these few months. If they continued to fight, their country would be doomed.
Comparing it this way, Stalin's viewpoint is also understandable. Even if the Soviet Union sent troops to help Germany, it would not guarantee a certain victory over the French Army.
"No, Comrade Stalin, you are too modest. Although the Soviet Union's equipment is not advanced, you Bolsheviks have strong mobilization capabilities."
"As soon as you give the order, the Soviet Union can immediately mobilize a million troops to the front lines. France, such a small nation, is no match for you."
Strasser said this while toasting Stalin and flattering him, but the latter was also quite shrewd.
In response to Strasser's compliments, Stalin merely smiled and gestured for Strasser to continue drinking, offering no further reaction.
Strasser secretly cursed Stalin as a "Scrooge," who wouldn't act until he saw results. If it were Kirov, he would undoubtedly promise to help the neighboring "brother of socialism" without hesitation. At that moment, Kirov was staring intently at Strasser, clearly in strong agreement with his words.
"Comrade Stalin, we certainly understand that the Soviet Union has its own difficulties, so we are also willing to provide assistance for the construction of socialism in the Soviet Union. After all, shouldn't our socialism family help each other?"
Strasser decided to throw out a chip to attract Stalin into the game.
"Our previous economic cooperation has only involved civilian equipment and technology. As long as the Soviet Union is willing to send troops, we are ready to provide technology and equipment related to military production, especially for the navy. We can sell the blueprints for various battleships of the High Seas Fleet to the Soviet Union."
"What? The High Seas Fleet!" Kirov exclaimed, surprised that Strasser was willing to reveal the blueprints of the High Seas Fleet. This was once the closely guarded secret of the world's second-largest navy.
This powerful naval fleet is the second only to the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom in maritime strength, and it has also achieved victories in multiple encounters with the British during World War I. The reason for their inability to win is simply because the British had too many ships, and they effectively used a strategy of surrounding the German navy in ports. Even in defeat, the strength of the High Seas Fleet must be acknowledged.
Many countries dream of having a powerful fleet, but they either lack resources or technology; the Soviet Union is particularly lacking in such technology. If they were to obtain the blueprints for a high seas fleet, building a strong navy would not be out of reach for the Soviet Union.
"Comrade Strasser, I must say, the conditions you proposed from Germany are indeed very generous."
Stalin was also very surprised by Strasser's generosity regarding the blueprints for the high seas fleet. He said it would be a lie to claim he wasn't tempted, but he still maintained his composure.
"However, it is not enough for the Soviet Union to simply have a powerful navy. Just as socialism needs a carrier to be realized, the Soviet needs land under the sun."
"Of course, spreading socialism to other countries is both reliable and reasonable, so I believe the Soviet Union can fully utilize this strong navy to liberate the colonies of Britain and France."
"Whether it is Turkey, India, or the Far East, they are all waiting for the liberation of the Soviet Union." Strasser earnestly spoke to Stalin about the benefits of occupying colonies, trying to spark Stalin's interest in countries outside of Europe. However, unfortunately, Stalin was a very clear-headed individual, although he was indeed very interested in dividing the legacy of the British Empire.
However, in his view, only by occupying Eastern Europe and bringing these countries into the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union could the Soviet Union truly become a powerful nation and a player on the world stage.
"Comrade Strasser, I must tell you that the focus of the Soviet Union has always been Europe, not elsewhere. If the Soviet Union cannot occupy an important position in Europe, then it cannot hold an important position on the world stage."
Stalin no longer looked at Strasser; he turned his gaze toward the dining table. In front of him, there had always been a blank curtain. Strasser had previously wondered why there was no food placed in front of Stalin, and now he understood the answer. Stalin reached out and pulled down the curtain from the dining table, revealing a beautifully crafted world map underneath, marked with the capitals of various countries in Europe.
Stalin dipped his finger into the red wine in the glass and then extended his hand to draw a line forcefully on the map, a clear red line appearing on the map. This line was not straight, but it was very coherent, dividing all of Europe into two halves.
"This is the place I want, Comrade Strasser. As long as Germany agrees to let the areas east of this line be 'liberated' by the Soviet Union, then the Soviet Union can sign an alliance treaty with Germany tomorrow."
"As long as France launches an attack, the Soviet Union will immediately send troops."
Stalin nonchalantly downed the remaining red wine in his glass and said to Strasser.
Strasser examined the map on the table; due to the map's high absorbency, the red wine quickly seeped into the lines on the map, staining many areas a dark red.
Strangely, the areas shaded by the red wine correspond exactly to the part east of the line drawn by Stalin. Looking at these dark red regions, Strasser felt as if an iron curtain had descended before him. From Slonim by the Baltic Sea to Trieste by the Adriatic Sea, the iron curtain that spanned across the continent of Europe had already been drawn.
Behind this Iron Curtain lie the capitals of all the ancient countries of Central and Eastern Europe—Warsaw, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Sofia. These famous cities and their surrounding populations will all fall within the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union in the future, increasingly coming under Moscow's control in one way or another. Strasser is well aware that as long as he agrees to Stalin's conditions, the Soviet Union will certainly fulfill their promises, rendering France's threats insignificant, as the Soviet Union has the capability to destabilize them from within.
But is such a future acceptable to Strasser? Is it acceptable to Germany? At least from Strasser's perspective, if Europe's future is like this, then it is unacceptable. The Soviet Union cannot become the leader of Europe; that would be a disaster for them. At the very least, the name of the leader must be changed from "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" to "German Workers' Empire" to be acceptable.
In order to save Germany, Strasser took Hitler's place, replacing this Austrian to continue his struggle. To liberate Europe, Germany must also take the position of the Soviet Union, replacing this country that disintegrated in the cold winter of December 1991, allowing all of Europe to become great again.
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