How did the Treaty of Berlin reassure the Soviet Union after the Locarno agreements?

The Locarno Pact caused significant suspicion among Soviet leaders, who feared that Germany might align itself with the Western powers in an anti-Soviet bloc.1

To alleviate these concerns and maintain a balance in his foreign policy, Gustav Stresemann signed the Treaty of Berlin on April 24, 1926. This agreement reassured the Soviet Union by:12

• Confirming and extending ties: It formally reaffirmed the friendly relations and cooperation previously established by the 1922 Treaty of Rapallo.1
• Establishing mutual neutrality: The treaty provided for mutual neutrality between Germany and the Soviet Union, ensuring that Germany would not participate in hostile actions against the Soviets despite its new commitments to the West.2

Unlike the Locarno agreements, which faced domestic political challenges, the Treaty of Berlin received unanimous approval from German political parties, signaling a broad consensus on maintaining a stable relationship with the East while pursuing reconciliation with the West.1