Editing Tripartite Pact (section)

===Soviet Union===
{{Main|German–Soviet Axis talks}}
Just prior to the formation of the Tripartite Pact, the Soviet Union was informed of its existence and the potential of its joining.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}} [[Vyacheslav Molotov]] was thus sent to Berlin to discuss the pact and the possibility of the Soviet Union joining.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}} The Soviets considered joining the Tripartite Pact to be an update of existing agreements with Germany.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}} During the visit to Berlin, Molotov agreed in principle to the Soviet Union joining the pact if some details, such as Soviet annexation of [[Finland]], could be worked out.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}} The [[Soviet government]] sent a revised version of the pact to Germany on 25 November.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}} To demonstrate the benefits of partnership, the Soviet Union made large economic offerings to Germany.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}}

However, the Germans had no intention of allowing the Soviets to join the pact; they were already making preparations for their [[Operation Barbarossa|invasion of the Soviet Union]], and were committed to doing so regardless of any action taken by the Soviets:
{{blockquote|Political conversations designed to clarify the attitude of Russia in the immediate future have been started. Regardless of the outcome of these conversations, all preparations for the East previously ordered orally are to be continued. [Written] directives on that will follow as soon as the basic elements of the army's plan for the operation have been submitted to me and approved by me. —Adolf Hitler{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}}}}
When they received the Soviet proposal in November, they simply did not reply. They, however, accepted the new economic offerings and signed an agreement for them on 10 January 1941.{{sfn|Weinberg|1994|pp=199–202}}