Limited Opportunities for Soviet Diplomacy in Using Cultural Contacts to Develop Relations with Sweden: 1945–1947

Abstract

In 1943, former People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs Maxim Litvinov proceeded from the assumption that at least some of the Scandinavian states might fall within the Soviet sphere of influence. The illusoriness of achieving this goal became apparent by the end of the World War II. At the same time, the evident growth of interest and, in part, sympathy for the Soviet Union in Swedish society offered hope for the development of Soviet-Swedish relations. Apparently, maintaining this interest, let alone strengthening it, was not considered to require significant financial expenditures. This was partly explained by the fact that such expenditures were not a priority due to the limited Soviet resources. Unlike the USSR, its allies in the anti-Hitler coalition had launched a broad campaign in Sweden before the end of the war, encompassing all spheres of cultural interaction. Soviet diplomacy failed to counteract this campaign. Relying solely on the increased international authority of the USSR proved insufficient.