The armistice signed on December 2, 1917, in Brest-Litovsk was a crucial step toward peace negotiations between Russia and the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The backdrop of this agreement was the upheaval caused by the Russian Revolution earlier in the year, which had led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a Bolshevik government. These revolutionaries, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, were committed to withdrawing Russia from World War I, which they deemed an imperialist conflict benefiting the ruling classes.

The armistice allowed for discussions to commence, aiming to formalize peace terms that would grant Russia a cessation of hostilities and the opportunity to address domestic chaos. The peace talks unfolded in Brest-Litovsk, where representatives from both sides engaged in negotiations that would ultimately evolve into a more formal treaty. The Central Powers, eager to consolidate their gains on the Eastern Front and redirect military resources elsewhere, were willing to entertain Russian proposals.

The culmination of these negotiations flashed forward to March 3, 1918, with the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which would have far-reaching consequences for Eastern Europe. The treaty resulted in significant territorial losses for Russia and effectively redrew the map of Eastern Europe. The armistice established the first steps toward a new order in the region, influencing the trajectory of nations and their borders for decades to come.