The Yalta-Potsdam System

The article elucidates the genesis of Yalta-Potsdam system, its evolution and the possible uses of its premises in the present international environment. The author points out the plurality of the sources which predated the formation of Yalta-Potsdam system — from USA President F. D. Roosevelt’s remarks on “Four Policemen”, ideas expressed by “Times” editor E.-H. Carr and Soviet diplomat M. M. Litvinov to the traditions of “Popular Front” in France. The Allied accords achieved at the summits in Yalta and Potsdam were implemented successfully enough during the short period between the end of war and the onset of the cold war, as the world order based on the existence of the antagonistic military blocs began to take shape — in a clear violation of Yalta-Potsdam principles. Point of no return was a year 1947 with a promulgation of a Marshall Plan. Still, under conditions of the cold war some non-confrontational options both realized and not realized — did emerge. In this context special attention in the article is devoted to the analysis of views on the international issues by the well-known German politician Ego Bahr: while having played a significant role in the process of the detente in 70s, they are worth of considerations in todays’ circumstances as well

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