@knp7765:
Another thing was that Stalin really believed that Hitler would honor their non-aggression pact. He almost totally ignored the reports of the German mobilization to the Soviet border.
He only believed in it as far as it would help his cause. He had no intention of being at peace with Germany permanently, it’s just that Hitler surprised him historically.
For one thing, the Red Army was in no condition to take on the Wehrmacht.
Correct, in 1941, after about a year of German preparation.
But after an invasion of England, with a mis-positioned and dramatically weakened Wehrmacht, the Red Army absolutely would have acted.
It was the idealogical goal of the Red Army to be an offensive force. That’s partially why they failed so dramatically while on defense.
Also, Stalin distrusted the British and was only too happy to see Germany pound them. He wouldn’t commit to a war with Germany because London fell.
Sure, he distrusted the British. But he sure distrusted the Germans as well. It’s just that it was to Russia’s advantage - temporarily - to align itself with Germany.