The International community's reaction to the Soviet annexation of the Baltic Republics: the recognition dilemma

ENMultiple viewpoints have been expressed regarding the international community’s reaction to the Soviet Union’s 1940 annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Some scholars assert that this incorporation was recognized by the overwhelming majority of states. Others disagree and argue that the absorption of the Baltic Republics was not recognized by the greater part of the international community. To address this contradiction, which has previously received almost no consideration, this article examines norms of international law governing the creation of title to territory acquired by the threat or use of force that were operative in 1940. For this purpose, it analyzes the traditional international law of conquest, the relevant provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations, the Pact of Paris, as well as the international community’s reaction to territorial annexations effectuated from 1932 to 1940. The findings reveal that the attitude of the vast majority of countries towards the Baltic annexation - passive indifference, silence, and disinterest - does not fit into the categories of either ‘recognition’ or ‘non-recognition’. Consequently, it would be inappropriate to employ the terms ‘recognition’ and ‘non-recognition’ to characterize the response of the greater part of the international community to the incorporation of the Baltic Republics. Keywords: recognition; non-recognition; territorial annexation; Baltic States. [From the publication]