In June 1940, tensions escalated in Eastern Europe as the Soviet Union, in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact signed in August 1939, turned its attention to Romania. This non-aggression treaty between the Soviets and Nazi Germany included secret protocols that allowed for the division of Eastern European territories between the two powers. As a result, the Soviet leadership viewed Bessarabia—a region with a significant historical and ethnic connection to Russia—as rightfully theirs, leading to the ultimatum presented to Romania on June 26.

Romania, recovering from territorial losses and feeling diplomatically isolated after the fall of France, found itself in a precarious situation. The Romanian leadership recognized the futility of military resistance against the Soviet threat. Consequently, they were compelled to accept the ultimatum, which demanded the immediate cession of Bessarabia and the northern part of Bukovina. Within days, Soviet troops advanced into these regions, leading to a complete occupation by Soviet forces.

This action not only reshaped Romania's borders but also had significant implications for regional dynamics in Eastern Europe. The Soviet occupation marked the beginning of a long period of Soviet influence in Romania and set the stage for the complex geopolitical landscape that prevailed during the Cold War. Romanian society struggled with the ramifications of the annexation, facing harsh repression and changes to national identity as they navigated the new political terrain imposed by Soviet leadership.