# Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact historical commemorations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/molotov-ribbentrop-pact-historical-commemorations > Updated: 2026-08-25T23:02:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The anniversary of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, serves as a focal point for historical reflection and political debate. The original agreement included a secret protocol that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, strategically facilitating the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II. While the pact ensured Soviet neutrality during Germany’s initial conquests, it is viewed as a move by Joseph Stalin to gain time for military reorganization. In contemporary contexts, the anniversary is linked to the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism. This observance has highlighted tensions regarding the documentation of Soviet-era crimes, such as the Gulag system and the Holodomor. In Portugal, the topic has sparked political discourse concerning perceived double standards in how different totalitarian regimes and historical crimes are evaluated by media and political institutions. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: European Day of Remembrance marks anniversary of Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact The European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism marks the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, highlighting debates over the historical memory of totalitarian regimes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-day-of-remembrance-marks-anniversary-of-molotov-ribbentrop-pact ### 2026-08-23: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact anniversary marks 1939 treaty The anniversary of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact marks the historical non-aggression agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that divided Eastern Europe and preceded World War II. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/molotov-ribbentrop-pact-anniversary-marks-1939-treaty --- Cite as: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact historical commemorations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/molotov-ribbentrop-pact-historical-commemorations