Yalta Conference

Key Issue:   A critical priority for Roosevelt during the Yalta Conference was Soviet agreement and participation in the post-war international organization of the UN (United Nations). Russian cooperation with the United Nations, Roosevelt believed, was essential for maintaining peace and preventing the outbreak of a future Third World War, especially considering Russia’s growing strength as a world power. Complications arose when in exchange for their participation, Russia demanded an overarching veto power on the UN Security Council and full representation for each of the sixteen Soviet republics in the General Assembly. Eventually through compromise on all sides at Yalta, the Soviet Union agreed to join the United Nations with the more limited veto proposed by the US and three Soviet seats in the General Assembly.