No. 254 of September 2
With reference to your telegram No. 233 of the 30th and No. 241 of the 1st. (1)
To my probing as to whether Istanbul rumors were correct, in accordance with which Turkey was already negotiating with the Soviet Union, Molotov replied that the Soviet Government was actually engaged in exchange of opinion and was in contact with Turkey.
After consultation with Stalin, Molotov informed me at a second conference at 3 p. m., that there was only a non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Turkey and relations were good in general; the Soviet Government was prepared to work for permanent neutrality of Turkey as desired by us. Our conception of the position of Turkey in the present conflict was shared by the Soviet Government.
Please make no use of the above statements of Molotov in dealing with the Turks.
SCHULENBURG