Moscow Embassy Files: Lot F–96
The People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov) to the Second Secretary of the American Embassy in the Soviet Union (Thompson), at Moscow
Esteemed Mr. Thompson: I inform you herewith of the following message of Premier I. V. Stalin, for President. Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt:
“Personal and Secret Message from Premier Stalin to President Roosevelt.
“I have received your message of December 5. I welcome the idea of a meeting of the leaders of the governments of the three States for the establishment of the general lines of strategy for the war. However, to my great regret, I cannot leave the Soviet Union. I must say that things are now so hot that it is impossible for me to absent myself for even a single day Just at present important military operations of our winter campaign are developing and they will not diminish in January. More probably the contrary will be true.
“The battle is developing on the Central front as well as at Stalingrad. At Stalingrad we have surrounded a large group of German armies and we hope to achieve their final liquidation.”
I have cabled this message to Mr. Litvinov for transmission to Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
With sincere esteem,