Kaarel Piirimäe is a Research Fellow at the University of Tartu, Estonia.

"The book is more a description and analysis of the evolution of British, American and Russian policy towards the balance of power in eastern Europe between 1939 and 1945 ... . Piirimae's impeccably researched study makes it one of the most important recent contributions to the continuing debate on the origins of that conflict." (Geoffrey Warner, International Affairs, Vol. 91 (6), 2015) 'An innovative and important study that opens up a neglected corner of wartime Europe. Kaarel Piirimae has mined the archives to throw fresh light on relations between the Big Three allies and on the slide from World War to Cold War.' David Reynolds, Chair of the Faculty of History and Professor of International History, University of Cambridge, UK 'Piirimae's study is a major contribution to our understanding of the fate of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during the Second World War. His research illuminates the dealings among the great powers that shaped the post-war international order.' - Andres Kasekamp, Professor of Baltic Politics, University of Tartu, Estonia

• Introduction 1. The Soviet Annexation and the Estonian Diplomats in Exile, 1940 2. British Perceptions and Reactions, 1939–1940 3. The Non-Recognition Policy of the United States, 1940 4. The 'Fighting Alliance', the Atlantic Charter and the Baltic Question, 1941 5. The British–Soviet Treaty, 1942 6. Post-War Planning, the Question of Self-Determination and Small States 7. The 'Big Russian International Game' and the Allied Conferences in Moscow and Teheran, 1943 8. United to the End: the Road to the Yalta Summit, 1944–1945 9. The Drift into the Cold War and the Freezing of the Baltic Question Conclusion and Epilogue Bibliography