740.0011 European War 1939/8893: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:20 p.m.]
456. I learned yesterday, from the German source known to the Department that the German Ambassador called on Molotov the night following the publication of the Soviet statement about the German entry into Bulgaria and explained to Molotov that the action taken by Germany had been necessary to forestall a British attempt to create a major front in Greece and Bulgaria. My informant stated that Molotov had replied that the Soviet Government could not agree as to the necessity for the German action and that he had “taken note” of the German explanation. My informant further stated that the “atmosphere at the meeting was rather chilly”.