"Comrade Commissioner, you should understand that Russia has been beaten to a complete rout in this war and no longer has the right to haggle over terms. If you refuse to accept the conditions we have proposed, everything will become even more unfavorable for you. Consider this my goodwill advice!" Ribbentrop said.
Although Ribbentrop's words greatly displeased Molotov, he knew they were the truth.
Molotov nodded but said nothing more. No matter what, the harsh terms proposed by Germany were an outcome Russia found extremely difficult to accept.
"Besides the conditions mentioned above, Germany has two further demands. The newly established Democratic Russia and your side will jointly bear 100 billion Marks in war reparations. These reparations must be paid in full within twenty years," Ribbentrop continued.
"Your Excellency the Foreign Minister, isn't 100 billion Marks too much? Especially after our country has been divided, we simply do not have sufficient financial resources to bear such enormous reparations," Molotov said.
Although he knew that ceding territory and paying reparations were unavoidable in negotiations, the Germans not only intended to split Russia apart, but had also opened their jaws like a lion to demand such staggering reparations. Molotov was still somewhat shocked.
"Your Excellency the Commissioner, this sum is not much. In fact, our expenditures in this war have far exceeded it. As for how to repay it, that is even simpler. If you have no money, your country can sell resources. East of the Ural Mountains and the Ural River lie abundant natural resources. Germany can purchase all of these resources. Your country can use those resources in place of war reparations!" Ribbentrop said.
The German government had long since considered how to plunder more wealth from the Russians.
Molotov knew that he had no way to refuse either. "I