Between Scylla and Charybdis: Bulgaria in geopolitical calculations of Germany and the USSR at the early stage of World War II

Abstract

The article covers the position of Bulgaria, which found itself at the cross-roads of geopolitical interests of Germany and the Soviet Union in the initial period of the Second world war and was forced to employ the tactics of maneuvering and dragging its heels choosing its strategic partner and ally. Having declared complete and consistent neutrality, Bulgarian leadership in practice tended to turn the country into a «Pro-German» unit, which was greatly facilitated by the assistance of Berlin in the transfer of Southern Dobrudja to Bulgaria. In addition to the willingness of the German leadership to guarantee territorial increments of Bulgaria, Sofia's position was to a great extent influenced by the fear of Bolshevism and the so-called «Baltic scenario» implemented by that time. Bulgaria's entry into the Triple Pact in March of 1941 meant that the USSR lost the diplomatic battle for Bulgaria.