Neither Hitler nor Stalin trusted the pact indefinitely. Both regimes armed while assuming that the other side would not move before they were ready, and each expected to choose the eventual moment of attack. Hitler gained the immediate advantage because Germany reached operational readiness first. The Soviet lag stemmed partly from Stalin's destruction of senior officers and civil servants during the purges. The agreement created a dangerous timing contest rather than a durable reconciliation.
Notable Point · 4:25:37-4:26:20
The Nazi-Soviet pact was a race to strike first
The pact created a temporary peace in which both dictators armed rapidly and expected to decide when to attack, with Germany initially ahead in readiness.