Final answer:
Stalin wanted to create a “buffer zone” in Eastern Europe to protect the Soviet Union from potential invasions from the West.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stalin wanted to create a “buffer zone” in Eastern Europe as a defense against potential attacks from the West. This was motivated by the history of European wars and the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union during World War II. By setting up communist states in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, Stalin aimed to create a group of friendly nations that would serve as a protective buffer against potential invasions.