PROBLEMS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR, 1936-1939 IN THE CONTEXT OF ITALIAN-SOVIET RELATIONS

Abstract

Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 became a factor that significantly determined the situation in Europe on the eve of the Second World War. In this regard, it is important to study the international aspects of this conflict in the context of Italian-Soviet relations. The author reveals how the interests of such focal countries as the USSR and Italy, which supported the opposing sides of the conflict in Spain, intersected at different levels and in different forms. The policy of Non-Intervention to Spain 1936-1939 has also aggravated bilateral, in particular, Italian-Soviet, relations. The Spanish theme was also actively used in mutual informational and psychological confrontation. The Italo-Soviet struggle over the Spanish problem ultimately influenced both the outcome of the Spanish War as well as the balance of power in Europe before the World War II.