It had lost position as a result of the disasters during the First World War and the Russian Revolution. According to Gorodetsky, through the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Stalin believed he could bring about a change in the European balance of power.
Its standing was diminished as a result of conflicts in both World War I and the Russian Revolution. As per Gorodetsky, Stalin believed that with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, he could shift the balance of power in Europe.