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United States Non-Recognition Policy

 In 1940, the United States condemned the Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and refused to recognize the annexation of the three Baltic states. This non-recognition policy was announced by acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles in a statement July 23, 1940 and remained the official US position until 1990/1 when the Baltic states each individually declared their independence from the Soviet Union.

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Popular Documents

July 23, 1940

Welles Declaration, Department of State Press Release, 'Statement by the Acting Secretary of State, the Honorable Sumner Welles'

Later referred to as the "Welles Declaration," this statement by acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles condemned the 1940 Soviet occupation of the Baltic states and set United States policy of refusing to recognize the new Soviet governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

June 25, 1941

Statement by the Latvian Minister (Bilmanis)

Statement by the Latvian Ambassador to the United States on the Soviet occupation of Latvia.

February 17, 1940

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State

Ambassador Steinhardt on rumors that the Soviet Union is planning to take control of Latvia and Estonia.

June 16, 1940

The Chargé in Estonia (Leonard) to the Secretary of State

The Soviet Union has demanded that Estonia and Latvia allow Soviet troops to enter both countries.

November 5, 1965

Department of State, Memorandum, 'Current United States Policy Toward Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia'

Explanation of US policy of non-recognition of Soviet control of the Baltic states.
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