Battles & Campaigns · 1920
Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty
Riga, Latvia
What happened
After Latvia's War of Independence, the two sides signed a peace treaty in Riga. Soviet Russia recognised Latvia as independent and set the border between them. Prisoners of war could go home, and adults could choose Latvian or Russian citizenship.
Why it matters
It formally ended Latvia's War of Independence. Soviet Russia promised that Latvia's independence would be respected 'for all future time'.
What came next
The treaty came into force in October 1920. Its promise did not last: the Soviet occupation of Latvia began in 1940.
Did you know?
It is sometimes also called the Treaty of Riga, the same name as a different 1921 treaty between Poland and Soviet Russia.
Timeline
- Jun 1919Battle of Cēsis.
- 3–5 Jan 1920Battle of Daugavpils.
- 11 Aug 1920Latvian–Soviet Peace Treaty signed.
- 4 Oct 1920Ratifications exchanged in Moscow.
- 1940Soviet occupation of Latvia begins.