Arstotzkan annexation of Leningrad

The Arstotzkan annexation of Leningrad and Lithuania (also known as "Annexation of GUSAC" or "Annexation of Lithuania") was a conflict in Nations Season 1 which took place on June 26th 2020. It was the closest the ETU and TRR had ever been to all-out conflict. The war resulted in the re-settlement of Leningrad, and the formation of the People's Soviet Union.

## Pre-war events

Following the Great war against GUSAC, many GUSAC refugees fled to Arstotzka. Arstotzkans, feeling remorse for the betrayal of their former communist allies, accepted these refugees as new citizens where they started a new life.

Tensions started rising between Arstotzka the European Trade Union. Sapanette, who promised to become friendly to Arstotzka and become the new leader of GUSAC following the Arstotzkan-backed coup, instead abandoned GUSAC entirely and formed Belgium. He then joined the European Trade Union, giving Westerners the control of all of GUSAC's wealth. Former GUSAC leader Depotatut, who now lived in Nochygrad (capital of Arstotzka), again re-gained friendly relations with Arstotzka's leader, Proto.

Following their loss in the war, many of these GUSAC refugees - lead by Depotatut himself - started organizing raids against ETU countries. They proclaimed themselves as the "partizans" and organized several attacks against Belgium, Britain and Lithuania. They were also accused of damaging ETU property (animal farms). The ETU declared these partizans a terrorist organization. After Belgium was disbanded on June 22nd, GUSAC averted most of its attention to Lithuania, resulting in the Lithuanians building a fortified border wall outside of Vilnius. Most of these attacks were stopped by ETU forces. However, there had been accusations by Arstotzka that ETU nations were committing human rights violations over innocent GUSAC people, supposedly even beating up and killing an Arstotzkan GUSAC man called George in Vilnius. Lithuanian officials claimed that "the man entered the city illegally and wouldn't comply to orders", resulting in lethal action by Lithuanian border guards. Furthermore, there were claims that the man was actually Depotatut. Nonetheless, this incident sparked massive tensions between the two blocs.

## Course of the war

On the 23rd of June 2020 at 19:20 CET, the Arstotzkan Union, along with the GUSAC Partizan group, launched the annexation of Leningrad (former GUSAC capital). This annexation, although illegal, was not interfered with by other countries.

Mere minutes later, at 19:57, the Arstotzkans declared the invasion of Lithuania. The reason for their invasion was "Lithuanians killing 2 innocent Arstotzkans". Two minutes later, the Norwegian prime minister and UN General Secretary AndrejFish\_ demanded that Arstotzka withdraw their troops, to which Proto responded "I diplomatically ask others not to interfere". The invasion caught the West completely off-guard, and no Lithuanian defenses were present to defend the country. Emergency mobilization was started by the ETU, and both sides were preparing for total war.

Fighting immediately ensued in Vilnius. Arstotzka had broken the UN War Rules during the invasion, which further enraged many people. The grave of the famous Lithuanian bear, Joel, was also "urinated on" by GUSAC troops. Fearing a global conflict, the Serbian leader Junoex invited Proto to an emergency meeting in Belgrade. Proto complied, and both the UN Ministry and Proto flew to Belgrade. After a tense meeting between UN Secretaries and Proto, both sides agreed to signing the Treaty of Belgrade, ending the war. Arstotzkans officially withdrew their troops from Vilnius shortly after. The entire conflict claimed 5 casualties in total.

## Aftermath

After the war ended, both the ETU and Arstotzka signed the Treaty of Belgrade, which stated that Arstotzka would "leave Lithuania alone under the condition that Lithuania will no longer be hostile towards both Arstotzkan and GUSAC members, and no longer offend the communist ideology". Furthermore, Arstotzka would receive a territorial expansion to the far east, while Depotatut would seize back control over Leningrad and form the People's Soviet Union. War rules were also heavily changed and more strictly enforced, so that failure to follow them would never happen again. Norway and Arstotzka also signed the "Protovich-Moxenssen Pact", a long-term non-aggression pact.

Many ETU citizens felt humiliated by the whole war, and believed that the western response was too kind on Arstotzka. On the other hand, the Arstotzkans claimed that the war was fully justified, and celebrated their victory (and the return of their communist allies). Nonetheless, the war remains a topic of controversy to this day.