 World opinion largely supported the Finnish cause , and the Soviet aggression was generally deemed unjustified . The World War had not yet directly affected France , the UK or the United States ; the Winter War was the only real fighting in Europe at that time and thus held major world interest . Several foreign organisations sent material aid , and many countries granted credit and military materiel to Finland . Nazi Germany allowed arms to pass through Sweden to Finland , but after a Swedish newspaper made this fact public , Adolf Hitler initiated a policy of silence towards Finland , as part of improved German – Soviet relations following the signing of the Molotov – Ribbentrop Pact . 
