advance of soviet forces (red arrows) against polish troops in june–august 1920
the first lithuanian–soviet attempt @ negotiations took place on september 11, 1919, after people s commissar of foreign affairs of soviet russia, georgy chicherin, sent note proposal peace treaty. however, lithuanian delayed talks feared negotiations communist russia, isolated european politics, damage relationships western powers had not yet recognized lithuania. talks began in may 1920 , highly influenced events in polish–soviet war. russia recognized lithuania s independence , right vilnius region; in exchange lithuania granted soviet forces unrestricted movement during war against poland. compromised lithuania s declared neutrality , further deepened polish–lithuanian crisis.
on july 14, 1920 soviets captured vilnius, did not transfer city lithuanian administration, agreed in treaty. instead soviets planned coup overthrow lithuanian government , establish soviet republic. however, soviets lost battle of warsaw , pushed poles. historians credit victory saving lithuania s independence soviet coup. despite soviet–lithuanian peace treaty, lithuania close being invaded soviets in summer 1920 , being forcibly incorporated soviet state, , polish victory derailed plan. on august 26, red army left vilnius , lithuanians prepared defend borders drawn in treaty. led further hostilities poland did not recognize treaty. lithuania lost vilnius region during Żeligowski s mutiny resembled soviet s plan. when mediation @ league of nations failed change situation, lithuania , poland suspended in state of no war, no peace until polish ultimatum of 1938. during time soviet russia lithuania s strongest ally against poland.
as result, several historians credit lithuania had faced 2 enemies wish paint own desires own interests, in later poles, instead of soviets, took vilnius away lithuania.
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