Vilnius conflict

The Vilnius conflict (1920–1939) was a conflict between Poland and Lithuania over Vilnius and the Vilnius region.

Vilnius conflict
Part of the Polish–Lithuanian War and Lithuania–Poland relations
Map of the Lithuania-Poland border before the Soviet invasion of Poland
Date October 9, 1920-October 10, 1939 Location Vilnius region Result Vilnius falls under Polish occupation in 1920 Re-establishment of Polish Lithuanian realisations in 1938 Transfer of Vilnius to Lithuania in 1939
Belligerents
Lithuania Supported by: Soviet Russia (until 1922) Soviet Union (after 1922)	Poland Supported by: British Empire France Japan

The conflict was mainly diplomatic and it lasted from October 9, 1920 (when the Poles captured Vilnius) until October 10, 1939 (when the Soviets transferred the Vilnius region to Lithuania).

Żeligowski's Mutiny

The conflict started when Lucjan Żeligowski captured Vilnius and establishmed the Polish puppet state known as the Republic of Central Lithuania, Żeligowski advanced into Lithuania and was defeated at Giedraičiai and on November 19, Żeligowski proposed to the Control Commission, led by Chardigny, to cease hostilities.

Attemptes to create peace

The Lithuanians agreed, and a ceasefire was signed on November 21. Later, this episode was criticized by Lithuanian commentators, as at the time the Lithuanian Army had the initiative on the front and had the chance to march on Vilnius. However, the Lithuanians trusted that the League of Nations would resolve the dispute in their favor and feared that an attack on Vilnius would prompt regular Polish forces to reinforce Żeligowski's units. The Poles rejected any withdrawal of Żeligowski's forces, and no agreement could be reached regarding a demarcation line.

On November 29, 1920, it was agreed only to cease hostilities on November 30, to entrust the Control Commission with the establishment of a 6 km (3.7 mi) wide neutral zone, and to exchange prisoners. The League of Nations decided to hold a plebiscite in the Vilnius region and to introduce foreign troops into the territory to "ensure order." However, the Lithuanian government refused to hold a plebiscite. In December 1920, the Soviets protested against the deployment of foreign forces in the Vilnius region.

Poland and Lithuania entered negotiations in 1921 with the mediation of the League's representative, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gimans. He proposed giving the Vilnius region to Lithuania under the condition that Lithuania enter a union with Poland, but this was rejected by the Lithuanian government.

In March 1923, a group of ambassadors from England, France, Italy, and Japan attempted to settle the border issue and awarded Vilnius to Poland. This was protested by the Soviets in a letter to Poland in early April 1923. On September 28, a non-aggression pact was signed between the Soviet Union and Lithuania, in which the Soviets once again claimed their support for Lithuania.

1938 Ultimatum

Main article: 1938 Polish ultimatum to Lithuania

Soviet liberation and eventual transfer of Vilnius to Lithuania

Further information: Vilnius Region under Lithuanian administration (1939–1940)

See also

• Suwałki Agreement
• Baltic Entente
• Warsaw Accord
• Intermarium