Final answer:
Stalin prepared the USSR for impending conflict but did not adhere strictly to agreements made with Churchill and Roosevelt regarding post-war Europe. He installed one-party communist states in several Eastern European countries and retained territories acquired through his former alliance with Hitler.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stalin's Adherence to Agreements
The question of how far Stalin kept to the agreement refers to various pacts and promises made during his rule, especially those related to the period surrounding World War II. The notion that Stalin had fulfilled his vow to Lenin by bringing peace to the Soviet Union is contrasted with historical evidence showing divergent actions. Following the German invasion during World War II, Stalin was initially distraught but returned with the full support of his Politburo colleagues. Despite the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact buying the USSR time, Stalin's miscalculations initially led the country to the brink of disaster.
The Stalinist regime indeed worked on arming the country and reorganized its military forces, reflecting some degree of preparation for the inevitable conflict. However, the Great Purge had also removed many of the most talented officers from the Red Army. Additionally, when discussing post-war arrangements, Churchill and Roosevelt had to make certain compromises, which in essence allowed communism to spread in Eastern Europe under Soviet influence, despite promises of free elections.
Ultimately, Stalin sought to create buffer zones against the West by dominating Eastern Europe after the war. He installed one-party communist states in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, thereby not upholding the promised democratic processes. He also retained territories taken during his alliance with Hitler and pushed for expanded borders for Poland into German territory. These actions indicate Stalin focused on Soviet security and expansion of influence rather than strict adherence to the agreements made during the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences.