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In mid-1940, Germany grew even more dependent on Soviet imports.<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|127–128}} German occupations of [[Battle of France|France]], the [[Battle of the Netherlands|Netherlands]], and Belgium created additional demand while decreasing avenues for indirect supply.<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|127–128}} Compared to 1938 figures, the expanded "Greater Germany" and its sphere of influence lacked, among other items, {{convert|500000|ST|t|abbr=off|sp=us|disp=output only}} ({{convert|{{convert|500000|ST|t|disp=output number only}}|t|ST LT|sp=us|disp=output only}}) of manganese, {{convert|3.3|e6ST|e6t|abbr=off|sp=us|disp=output only}} (3.3 × 10<sup>6</sup> short tons; {{convert|3.3|e6ST|e6LT|sp=us|disp=output only}}) of raw phosphate, {{convert|200000|ST|t|abbr=off|sp=us|disp=output only}} ({{convert|{{convert|200000|ST|t|disp=output number only}}|t|ST LT|sp=us|disp=output only}}) of rubber, and {{convert|9.5|e6ST|e6t|abbr=off|sp=us|disp=output only}} (9.5 × 10<sup>6</sup> short tons; {{convert|9.5|e6ST|e6LT|sp=us|disp=output only}}) of oil.<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|127–128}} Hitler believed that an eventual invasion of the Soviet Union increasingly looked like the only way in which Germany could solve its resource crisis.<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|127–128}} The Soviet invasions of [[History of Lithuania#First Soviet occupation|Lithuania]], [[Estonia#Soviet Annexation|Estonia]] and [[Latvia#Latvia in World War II|Latvia]]<ref name="wettig20"/><ref name="senn">{{Cite book |last=Senn |first=Alfred Erich |title=Lithuania 1940: Revolution from Above |publisher=Rodopi |year=2007 |isbn=9789042022256 |location=Amsterdam, New York}}</ref> in June 1940 resulted in the Soviet occupation of states on which Germany had relied for 96.7 million Reichsmarks of imports in 1938.<ref name="hehn" />{{rp|212}} While no concrete plans were yet made, Hitler told one of his generals in June that the victories in western Europe "finally freed his hands for his important real task: the showdown with Bolshevism",<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|129–130}} though German generals told Hitler that occupying Western Russia would create "more of a drain than a relief for Germany's economic situation".<ref name="ericson" />{{rp|138}}
In August 1940, the Soviet Union briefly suspended its deliveries after their relations were strained following disagreement over policy in the Balkans, the [[Winter War|Soviet Union's war with Finland]] (from which Germany had imported 88.9 million Reichsmarks in goods in 1938<ref name="hehn" />{{rp|212}}), Germany falling behind in its deliveries of goods under the pact and with Stalin worried that Hitler's war with the West might end quickly after [[Second Armistice at Compiègne|France signed an armistice]].<ref name="philbin" />{{rp|48–59}}
[[File:Lutzow1940.jpg|right|thumb|Heavy cruiser ''Lützow'' in 1940]]
Germany delayed its delivery of the cruiser ''Lützow'' and the plans for the ''Bismarck'' as long as possible, hoping to avoid delivery altogether if the war developed favorably.<ref name="philbin" />{{rp|49}} The incomplete ''Lützow'' was towed to Leningrad in mid-1940 in a less complete state than the Soviets had anticipated.<ref name="philbin" />{{rp|122}} In response to later Soviet orders, Germany did deliver eight {{Convert|38.1|cm|in|sp=us|adj=on}} guns and six {{Convert|40|cm|in|sp=us|adj=on}} guns for which the Soviets had requested drawings.<ref name="philbin" />{{rp|49}} The ''Lützow'', which was not yet completed, was towed to [[Leningrad]], where German engineers worked on the vessel until 22 June 1941.<ref name="weeks74"/>
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