WI early Soviet-friendly Romania

According to David Mitrany, many of the Leftist intelligentsia in Romania had been clamouring for an opening of relationships between the Soviet Union and Romania at the beginning of the 1920s. Apparently, discussion about how to proceed with the initial offer had progressed some way (and some on the Soviet side were not unsympathetic, especially given the prewar ties several prominent Romanian early Marxists, like Solomon Katz, had with Soviet leaders); however, Raymond Poincaré became aware of the talks and cabled Henri Berthelot, demanding he present the Romanian parliamentarians with an ultimatum. It stated that, unless the politicians immediately ceased all action in this respect, France would fully end any and all support towards Romania.

What if the Romanians had ignored Poincaré's ultimatum (with whatever consequences)? After all, a cynical realist could posit that it's better to have an affably indifferent close (powerful) neighbour and a spurned faraway ex, than a faraway friend but a very close enemy.

Would they be able to secure border guarantees? What would/could the Soviets demand in return? (I mean, apart from satellisation, that would have most likely occured eventually anyway)
 
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I'm afraid that your scenario is a non starter, as it is based on a faulty premise.
First, your "leftist intelighentsia" would have an insignificant influence, as the Romanian intelectuals of that time were overwhelmingly right-wing.
Second, the hostility between Romania and the Soviet Union had some very good reasons which had nothing to do with any french meddling: The two countries had a terittorial dispute in Bessarabia, which could not be solved even later when the Romanians did make an effort at rapprochement, because no side was willing to make any concessions. Then, there was the issue of incompatible political systems: Romania was a monarchy, and this was a period when the Soviets were still flirting with the ideea of world revolution.
As a consequence of all this, the two countries were practically in a state of undeclared war in the early 20's, with several armed incidents and Soviet-sponsored terrorist attacks, including the bombing of the Romanian parliament. Not exactly a good climate for diplomatic overtures.
 
Carol II first came to power in 1930, so it's a bit late for this discussion. And I don't know what about him could be considered leftist (if you'r not looking from the point of view of the nazis).
 
Carol II first came to power in 1930, so it's a bit late for this discussion. And I don't know what about him could be considered leftist (if you'r not looking from the point of view of the nazis).

I meant leftist for Romania in the Interwar period. Romania could've very easily gone to the far right earlier than it did in OTL.
 
You are right about that, of course.
But Carol still wasnt anywhere near leftist enough to make a good dialogue partner for the Soviets.
 
You are right about that, of course.
But Carol still wasnt anywhere near leftist enough to make a good dialogue partner for the Soviets.

I agree. My pov would be that the only way to have Romania have relations with the USSR is a POD somewhere in the 1910's.
 
the only way to have Romania have relations with the USSR is a POD somewhere in the 1910's.

Well, you could allso have a scenario where the Soviets come out of the civil war far worse than in OTL and there is a Greater Poland or a White Ukraine between them and Romania and this state is allso wery agressive towards its neighbours to the point where it is seen by Romania as a common enemy that justifies an alliance with the Soviets.
 
Not really possible since there were always tensions about Basarabia. I actually thing a war between the Soviet Union and Romania in the 20s is more likely than an alliance. After the Tatarbunar rebellion at least many Romanian political figures became very Russophobic and anticommunism became accepted by all major political movements. Even from a strategical point of view, Romania's natural allies were Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Hungary allying with the Soviet Union I find as being plausible, even OTL Horthy Hungary.
 
I meant leftist for Romania in the Interwar period. Romania could've very easily gone to the far right earlier than it did in OTL.

The later part of Carol II's regime, when he became autocratic, had many fascist features. As Easterling said, he was not lef wing.

However, his lack of antisemitism (his mistress and later wife was of Jewish descent afterall) did make him standout amongst all far righters. This might make room for Soviet propaganda to improve his image amongst the Soviet public or Western Leftist intellectuals, even though he was a monarch; in case a normalization or relations had taken place.
 
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