So Kleist went to Warsaw and spelled out the German grand strategy for embassy staff in a briefing obviously held in an unsecure conference room. And it didn't matter because Stalin didn't believe the part about the destruction of the Soviet Union. Amazing.
"So Kleist went to Warsaw and spelled out the German grand strategy for embassy staff in a briefing obviously held in an unsecure conference room. And it didn't matter because Stalin didn't believe the part about the destruction of the Soviet Union. Amazing." Some of the German Embassy staff were on Stalin's payroll, so it wasn't a question of bugging the meeting with Kleist.
As to what Stalin believed in May-June 1939 -- obviously he had no confidence in Britain or France, but thought he could buy some time, and gain much territory, by striking a deal with Hitler.
But what happened two years later, in May-June 1941? That's the big mystery. I'll let you know when I get there in the book (or maybe just keep it a secret for the next two years... ;-) ).