<P> The Russians only hopes were that given time their allies would agree to join the negotiations or that the western European proletariat would revolt, so their best strategy was to prolong the negotiations . As Foreign Minister Leon Trotsky wrote "To delay negotiations, there must be someone to do the delaying". Therefore Trotsky replaced Joffe as the leader . </P> <P> On the other side there were significant political realignments . On New Year's Day in Berlin the Kaiser insisted that Hoffmann reveal his views on the future German - Polish border . He advocated taking a small slice of Poland; Hindenburg and Ludendorff wanted much more . They were furious with Hoffmann for breaching the chain of command and wanted him dismissed and sent to command a division . The Kaiser refused, but Ludendorff no longer spoke with Hoffmann on the telephone, now communication was through an intermediary . The German Supreme Commanders were also furious at ruling out of annexations, contending that the peace "must increase Germany's material power". They denigrated Kühlmann and pressed for additional territorial acquisitions . When Hindenburg was asked why they needed the Baltic states he replied, "To secure my left flank for when the next war happens ." However the most profound transformation was that a delegation from the Ukrainian Rada, which had declared independence from Russia, had arrived at Brest - Litovsk . They would make peace if they were given the Polish city of Cholm and its surroundings, and then would provide desperately needed grain . Czernin no longer was desperate for a prompt settlement with the Russians . </P> <P> When they reconvened Trotsky declined the invitation to meet Prince Leopold and terminated shared meals and other sociable interactions with the representatives of the Central Powers . Day after day Trotsky "engaged Kühlmann in debate, rising to subtle discussion of first principles that ranged far beyond the concrete territorial issues that divided them". The Central Powers signed a peace treaty with Ukraine during the night of 8--9 February, even though the Russians had retaken Kiev . German and Austro - Hungarian troops entered Ukraine to prop up the Rada . Finally Hoffmann broke the impasse with the Russians by focusing the discussion on maps of the future boundaries . Trotsky summarized their situation "Germany and Austria - Hungary are cutting off from the domains of the former Russian Empire territories more than 150,000 square kilometers in size ." He was granted a nine day recess for the Russians to decide whether to sign . </P> <P> In Petrograd Trotsky argued passionately against signing, proposing that instead "they should announce the termination of the war and demobilization without signing any peace ." Lenin was for signing rather than having an even more ruinous treaty forced on them after a few more weeks of military humiliation . The "Left Communists", led by Nikolai Bukharin and Karl Radek, were sure that Germany, Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria were all on the verge of revolution . They wanted to continue the war with a newly - raised revolutionary force while awaiting for these upheavals . Consequently Lenin agreed to Trotsky's formula--a position summed up as "no war--no peace"--which was announced when the negotiators reconvened on 10 February 1918 . The Russians thought their stalling was succeeding until 16 February when Hoffmann notified them that the war would resume in two days, when fifty - three divisions advanced against the near - empty Russian trenches . On the night of 18 February the Central Committee supported Lenin's resolution that they sign the treaty by a margin of seven to five . Hoffmann kept advancing until 23 February when he presented new terms that included the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine and Finland . They were give 48 hours to decide . Lenin told the Central Committee that "you must sign this shameful peace in order to save the world revolution". If they did not agree he would resign . He was supported by six Central Committee members, opposed by three, with Trotsky and three others abstaining . Trotsky resigned as foreign minister and was replaced by Grigori Sokolnikov . </P>

Who benefited from the treaty of brest litovsk