What demands did the Soviet Union make of Finland before the Winter War?

Before the Winter War, the Soviet Union demanded that Finland make several territorial and strategic concessions, ostensibly to safeguard the city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) from potential German attack. These demands included:12

• The Karelian Isthmus: The Soviet Union sought to push the border with Finland westward across this region.2
• Naval Base: A 30-year lease for a naval base at Hanko (Hangö).12
• Islands: Possession of several islands in the Gulf of Finland.12

While the Soviet Union offered to exchange other Soviet land as compensation for these acquisitions, the Finnish government rejected the proposals. Following this refusal, the Soviet Union launched an attack on November 30, 1939, initiating the Russo-Finnish War.231