The signing of the Soviet–Lithuanian Peace Treaty was a pivotal moment in the history of Lithuania and Soviet Russia, establishing diplomatic recognition crucial for Lithuania's aspirations of sovereignty. This agreement can be traced back to the upheavals of World War I and the subsequent power struggles in the region, as countries sought to redefine their borders in the aftermath of the war. Lithuania declared independence in 1918, but its status remained precarious through the Russian Civil War and the ensuing territorial disputes.

Negotiated in Minsk, the treaty arose from a backdrop of conflict, with Lithuania struggling to assert its independence against the backdrop of Bolshevik advances and the shifting post-war landscape. By recognizing Lithuania's sovereignty, Soviet Russia aimed to stabilize its western borders and mitigate tensions with its neighbors. The outcomes of the treaty included the promise of mutual respect for territorial integrity and an official acknowledgment of diplomatic relations.

The treaty had immediate implications for Lithuania, providing it with a legal framework to bolster its governance without Soviet interference, although it would not fully extricate itself from these influences in subsequent years. The agreement served not only as a formal recognition of independence but also set a precedent for Lithuania’s role in regional politics, which would evolve as the interwar period progressed into the challenges of World War II. Despite a later occupation, the signing underscored the international recognition Lithuania sought, a symbolic victory in a region fraught with upheaval.