As a result of the 1940 Moscow Peace Treaty that concluded the Winter War, Finland ceded a portion of Finnish Karelia along with other territories to the Soviet Union.
[2] The treaty did not require Finland to empty the ceded territory, but few were willing to stay, and almost the whole population chose to relocate, taking their belongings with them.
[citation needed] Only the buildings and machinery were to be left behind intact as per the Peace Treaty, which for the most part also took place.
[3] In June 1944, Finnish troops partially withdrew from the ceded areas again as a result of the Soviet Fourth strategic offensive.
The Paris Peace Treaty finally confirmed the loss of Finland's territory.